To: ViperChick Secret Agent 006.9 who wrote (51666 ) 9/6/1998 7:33:00 PM From: flickerful Respond to of 58727
(where even a loyal democratic Senator.. who was a friend is making scathing remarks publically) but i really meant to say.... Sunday September 6 4:10 PM EDT Lieberman ''confident'' Clinton can save presidency By Vicky Stamas WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A key Democratic senator who sharply rebuked President Clinton over his affair with a White House intern said Sunday that Clinton has the capacity to be a moral leader and salvage his presidency. But Congressman Jim Moran, a Virginia Democrat and staunch Clinton loyalist, said the president faced his most difficult test and will have a hard time regaining the credibility he needs to lead the country. ''I'm confident he can ... restore the full moral authority of his presidency and go on to finish (his) full term honorably,'' Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut said in an interview on NBC's ''Meet the Press.'' Lieberman, a long-time ally of Clinton, said on the Senate floor Sept. 3 that Clinton's behavior was ''immoral'' and urged the President to more fully accept responsibility. Clinton responded one day later during a visit to Ireland, saying he was ''sorry'' about the affair with Monica Lewinsky. Until then, Clinton had said only that he deeply regretted the extramarital relationship. Asked on NBC if Clinton could ''reclaim'' the moral authority that Lieberman warned Sept. 3 was ''compromised,'' the senator said, ''Yes, he can.'' ''One of the great things the president has done for the country ... in the programs he has advocated (is) reconnect the Democratic Party to the mainstream of American values from which we were disconnected,'' Lieberman said. Moran, however, had a grim assessment of the president's predicament. ''I do think this is the most serious crisis he has ever faced and I don't really see any way out of it,'' Moran said on ''Fox News Sunday.'' ''His credibility is obviously severely diminished. I don't know how he can ever recover the strength of the bully pulpit that he needs.'' Lieberman said Clinton was unsurpassed in communicating and in understanding people. ''And this may be, in the days ahead, the greatest test he's ever had at that.'' Asked what, specifically, Clinton should do, Lieberman said, ''I leave that to him.'' The senator said he does not favor impeachment if independent counsel Kenneth Starr's upcoming report shows no evidence of obstruction of justice or suborning perjury. However, a motion of censorship may be in order, he said. Asked whether he thinks Clinton has the morality and integrity to be president, Lieberman said, ''I do.'' ''He has some work to do,'' Lieberman said. ''He began it admirably with his statement of apology in Ireland. My highest hope is that President Clinton is able to repair the damage and go on and end his presidency in two-and-a-half years honorably and effectively.'' Moran said the president would be ''fortunate'' if Congress passed nothing more than censure resolution. But ''I now don't think that's really an option. I think we're bound to go through with impeachment proceedings,'' he said. ''I would not want to be in his position right now, obviously no one would,'' Moran said. But Clinton is sure to fight to regain his authority, Moran said, adding:. ''I don't think it's in the president's personality to essentially give up. He has always been able to come back. I think he assumes he will be able to come back this time and who am I to say that he can't?''