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Politics : Bill Clinton Scandal - SANITY CHECK -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Johannes Pilch who wrote (3782)	9/18/1998 10:26:00 PM
From: dougjn	Read Replies (4) \| Respond to of 67261

I'm actually much more convinced that the President will survive as a result of my arguments on these forums and fielding attack form the frequently impassioned advocates of impeachment. I have taken on all comers, and heard lots of emotional, and some well reasoned, arguments in opposition. I've heard nothing very persuasive. The best I've heard is along the lines that even the tiniest abuse of office might be impeachable. Other arguments are along the lines that Congress can do what it wants. Most just say stuff like he has lost the moral authority to lead, we don't want him, therefore he should go. I think when it gets to the vastly more deliberative Senate, that impeachment has little chance. Because no one has effectively countered the argument that this is about the most minor, and most forgivable, of all readily imaginable perjuries, under all the circumstances. That characterization has basically stood without any effective challenge. The implicit counter is that all perjury of any sort is so bad if committed by the chief law enforcement officer than it is impeachable. But that line of argument certainly doesn't cut it. The Constitution, specifically talking about the President, requires that for him, that highest law enforcement officer, not just any crime will do. Only a High Crime and Misdemeanor meets the high hurdle for impeachment. I think in some ways we are ahead of the T.V. debate, which is focusing on the fact that he public doesn't want it, a big majority of Republicans do, and they control the House Judiciary Committee and the whole House. T.V. and the leading Press is only just starting to talk about whether this rises to an impeachable level. About the closest they've come is to say that some say perjury could be an impeachable offense. Others say it may not be. Without getting into the circumstances of THIS impeachment. Really, I think the public is way ahead. I think the more focused we get on the standards for impeachment issue, and dissecting this perjury, with all the attendant circumstances as I have repeatedly discussed, the better it gets for the President. Maximum shock is reached Monday evening. It gets better from there on out for the President, and for those who believe that impeachment should not be voted for minor crimes. Or to remove an objectionable President, for moral or other low crime reasons. Doug