Monica Lewinsky is back in the news – big time. She has not only authored a tell-all Vanity Fair article but she showed up at a star-studded art gala and posed for press pictures.

Why?

I don’t give much credence to Lynne Cheney’s theory that Hillary Clinton is behind the Lewinski resurgence, that it’s intended to preclude the possibility of opponents using the scandal when Hillary runs for President in 2016. I find that idea far-fetched – even for Republicans.

The Lewinsky scandal is nearly two decades old, and a lot of water has flowed under the bridge in the meantime. Monica is 40 now (then-and-now photos above), and the blue dress has been devoured by moths – if it is not preserved for posterity somewhere. Meanwhile Bill Clinton has mellowed into a revered elder statesman. The world forgave him for the Lewinski affair long ago.

Furthermore, who can blame Hillary for Bill’s peccadilloes? Most reasonable people think she handled the embarrassment rather well.

The Republicans would be better off sticking with Benghazi. At least the word “Benghazi” has a menacing ring –  even if the scandal itself is bogus.

I think what might really be happening is some kind of PR campaign to hype Monica as a media star. I read or heard somewhere that she is in line for a TV show, and I wouldn’t be surprised. She has shown she can attract an audience.

Seventy million gawkers watched when she was interviewed by Barbara Walters for ABC’s 20/20 program back in 1999.

She has also minted a fortune from her romp in the Oval Office, including half a million for a book she co-authored and a cool million from the Walters interview.

Of course, a lot of that has been eaten up by legal bills. And when you’re Monica Lewiski, your cost of living is pretty steep. So she is probably on the prowl for some new loot to replenish her treasury.

I am betting she won’t have much difficulty finding takers for whatever she’s cooking up. For better or worse, we will be seeing more of Monica in the near future.

Stay tuned.