Final answer:
The secret affair in question parallels the scandal involving former President Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Clinton's impeachment did not lead to his removal from office, as the actions were not widely seen as a high crime. This set a precedent on how future political figures would handle personal misconduct within their campaigns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scandalous secret affair referred to in the question parallels the well-known scandal involving former President Bill Clinton and White House intern Monica Lewinsky. Clinton's inability to evade controversies and scandals, particularly the Lewinsky affair, caused significant political turmoil. Figures such as Newt Gingrich and other conservative politicians had initially anticipated that Clinton's scandal would mark a downfall similar to that experienced during the Watergate scandal, yet found themselves entangled in their own controversies, undermining their position to castigate Clinton for moral lapses.
Despite facing impeachment by the House of Representatives, Clinton was not removed from office by the Senate, and many Americans did not consider his actions a high crime or misdemeanor. This enduring public support was seen as a likely factor influencing Vice President Al Gore's decision to distance himself from the Clinton scandals during his own presidential campaign, reflecting the complicated political consequences of personal misconduct for public figures.