Salon Newsreal | On to the Senate

A L S O+T O D A Y

Life of the party?
By Joshua Micah Marshall
With Livingston gone, Tom DeLay runs the party
(12/19/98)
A plague on all their houses
By Murray Waas
On Capitol Hill, partisan hard-liners have damaged the constitutional democracy they claim to hold so dear
(12/18/98)
Going through the motions
By Harry Jaffe
Patrick Kennedy and Bob Barr's offstage sparring was the only surprise of Friday's impeachment debate
(12/17/98)
The Impeachment War: What on earth is going on?
Experts, pundits and kibitzers weigh in on Washington's weirdest week
(12/17/98)
Home for Ramadan?
By Jeff Stein
Don't hold your breath: Clinton's air war isn't likely to knock out Saddam Hussein
(12/17/98)
And now, back to impeachment
By Bruce Shapiro
Republican skeptic Christopher Shays tries to explain why fence-sitting Republicans suddenly rushed to oppose the president
(12/18/98)
House of adulterers
By David Weir
Unless the GOP is able to convince voters the impeachment proceedings are based on more than disapproval of his private sexual affairs, revelations like Bob Livingston's will continue.
(12/18/98)
Rep. Bob Livingston's remarks
The text of the statement Thursday by the incoming speaker of the House
(12/18/98)

T A B L E+T A L K
Do you agree or disagree with President Clinton's decision to bomb Iraq? Join the debate in Table Talk's International Issues area

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Search barnesandnoble.com for books about terrorism
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R E C E N T L Y
The few, the proud, the relieved
By Jeff Stein
President Clinton risked a revolt within the military if he pulled back from the brink with Iraq once again
(12/17/98)
Baghdad bombing: The right move, the wrong time
By Lori Leibovich
A foreign policy expert says Clinton should have struck Baghdad sooner -- and argues that U.S. sanctions should be lifted
(12/17/98)
Reaping the whirlwind
By Joshua Micah Marshall
Clinton's move against Iraq raises the stakes for both parties in the impeachment debate
(12/17/98)
The whole world is watching -- again
By Todd Gitlin
Left-wing literati turn out to block impeachment
(12/16/98)
Peace, the movie
By Daryl Lindsey
Clinton's three-day visit to the Middle East was full of symbols and photo ops, but precious little in the way of content
(12/16/98)
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On to the Senate
WITH IMPEACHMENT BEHIND HIM, THE PRESIDENT CARRIES ON. AND ON.

BY HARRY JAFFE | On Monday, President Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton were scheduled to serve food in a soup kitchen in Washington. That afternoon the first couple will entertain 1,500 members of the press and their families on the South Lawn.
And, by the way, on Saturday Clinton became the second president ever to be impeached by the House of Representatives.
For public consumption, the White House will carry on. And on and on. On message, on point, on with the holiday celebrations. Expect Clinton to keep saying what he's been saying as he's moved from diplomatic trips to the Middle East to fund-raisers in the Midwest: "I'm just coming to work."
The question becomes whether Clinton's uncanny skill at compartmentalizing will keep him sane and in office for the next few months. Surviving as the energetic president carrying out his duties on one hand and as the embattled president fighting an impeachment trial in the Senate on the other might save Clinton's hide. Or it might turn him into a nutcase.
After a predictable day of speechmaking on Friday, the House on Saturday approved two of four articles of impeachment. Along partisan lines, the House voted 228-206 for an article charging Clinton with perjury for lying under oath to a grand jury. The House also voted 221-212 for the third article, accusing Clinton of obstruction of justice. Members rejected articles alleging perjury in the Paula Jones case and abusing the powers of his office by giving false written answers to questions posed by Congress during the impeachment inquiry. In legal terms, the articles of impeachment are charges that will come before the Senate, which will act as a jury and decide if the charges are true and merit Clinton's removal from office.
By 8:30 a.m. EST, before the members gathered on the House floor, Hillary Clinton was on Capitol Hill meeting with the Democratic caucus, where she set the emotional tone for the next phase of battle. According to Hill sources, the first lady said she "loves" her husband -- she has avoided such personal statements since August -- and urged congressmembers to stay focused on core Democratic issues.
And as the House voted, Clinton and his top aides were already putting the finishing touches on a strategy to take control in the Senate and in the court of public opinion. Clinton's inner circle has been pared down to a cadre of loyal and very angry aides, true believers who accept the Clintons' belief that the drive to dethrone the president is motivated by right-wing Republicans rather than the rule of law.
"The Republicans run a risk if they pursue a strategy that puts America's interest last," warned White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart. "The public has a certain amount of tolerance for partisan politics, and they've had just about enough."
Clinton's political aides know enough to realize that the Republican Party is plummeting in the polls, down to its lowest approval ratings in decades. The president, aides say, will take his high approval ratings on an offensive in the first days of the new year.
Right after the House vote, busloads of Democrats rode down Pennsylvania Avenue to link arms with the president. CNN broadcast the convoy driving across town from the Capitol to the White House, and it was surreally reminiscent of footage of O.J. Simpson's Bronco chase. At 4:30 p.m., three hours after the first vote of impeachment was announced, Clinton walked out of the White House, holding hands with the first lady, and took the high road. "I will continue to do the work of the American people," Clinton said, vowing to stay in office "until the last hour of the last day of my term."
The president already has plans go take that message on the road, aides report. More than a month in advance, he's working on his State of the Union message and his budget. He will hammer home popular programs with something for everyone: to improve education, bolster Social Security and keep the military strong.
Clinton is also stronger in the Senate than he is in the House. Three of his top aides -- chief of staff John Podesta, special counsel Gregory Craig and senior advisor Doug Sosnik -- have worked in the Senate. The president has personal ties with a number of senators, and he's already enlisted former Sens. George Mitchell and Bob Dole to take his case to their former colleagues.
While the Clintons try to win the war of words, James Carville is girding for hand-to-hand combat by forming a political action committee designed to hold Republicans accountable for their impeachment votes.
"They're going to get the blame for doing this," he said. "They've put something into motion, and they're going to have to live with the consequences of it."
SALON | Dec. 19, 1998
Harry Jaffe is a national editor at Washingtonian magazine.

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A L S O+T O D A Y Life of the party? By Joshua Micah Marshall With Livingston gone, Tom DeLay runs the party (12/19/98) A plague on all their houses By Murray Waas On Capitol Hill, partisan hard-liners have damaged the constitutional democracy they claim to hold so dear (12/18/98) Going through the motions By Harry Jaffe Patrick Kennedy and Bob Barr's offstage sparring was the only surprise of Friday's impeachment debate (12/17/98) The Impeachment War: What on earth is going on? Experts, pundits and kibitzers weigh in on Washington's weirdest week (12/17/98) Home for Ramadan? By Jeff Stein Don't hold your breath: Clinton's air war isn't likely to knock out Saddam Hussein (12/17/98) And now, back to impeachment By Bruce Shapiro Republican skeptic Christopher Shays tries to explain why fence-sitting Republicans suddenly rushed to oppose the president (12/18/98) House of adulterers By David Weir Unless the GOP is able to convince voters the impeachment proceedings are based on more than disapproval of his private sexual affairs, revelations like Bob Livingston's will continue. (12/18/98) Rep. Bob Livingston's remarks The text of the statement Thursday by the incoming speaker of the House (12/18/98) T A B L E+T A L K Do you agree or disagree with President Clinton's decision to bomb Iraq? Join the debate in Table Talk's International Issues area ___________________ Search barnesandnoble.com for books about terrorism ___________________ R E C E N T L Y The few, the proud, the relieved By Jeff Stein President Clinton risked a revolt within the military if he pulled back from the brink with Iraq once again (12/17/98) Baghdad bombing: The right move, the wrong time By Lori Leibovich A foreign policy expert says Clinton should have struck Baghdad sooner -- and argues that U.S. sanctions should be lifted (12/17/98) Reaping the whirlwind By Joshua Micah Marshall Clinton's move against Iraq raises the stakes for both parties in the impeachment debate (12/17/98) The whole world is watching -- again By Todd Gitlin Left-wing literati turn out to block impeachment (12/16/98) Peace, the movie By Daryl Lindsey Clinton's three-day visit to the Middle East was full of symbols and photo ops, but precious little in the way of content (12/16/98) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Browse the Newsreal Archives - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
		On to the Senate WITH IMPEACHMENT BEHIND HIM, THE PRESIDENT CARRIES ON. AND ON. BY HARRY JAFFE \| On Monday, President Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton were scheduled to serve food in a soup kitchen in Washington. That afternoon the first couple will entertain 1,500 members of the press and their families on the South Lawn. And, by the way, on Saturday Clinton became the second president ever to be impeached by the House of Representatives. For public consumption, the White House will carry on. And on and on. On message, on point, on with the holiday celebrations. Expect Clinton to keep saying what he's been saying as he's moved from diplomatic trips to the Middle East to fund-raisers in the Midwest: "I'm just coming to work." The question becomes whether Clinton's uncanny skill at compartmentalizing will keep him sane and in office for the next few months. Surviving as the energetic president carrying out his duties on one hand and as the embattled president fighting an impeachment trial in the Senate on the other might save Clinton's hide. Or it might turn him into a nutcase. After a predictable day of speechmaking on Friday, the House on Saturday approved two of four articles of impeachment. Along partisan lines, the House voted 228-206 for an article charging Clinton with perjury for lying under oath to a grand jury. The House also voted 221-212 for the third article, accusing Clinton of obstruction of justice. Members rejected articles alleging perjury in the Paula Jones case and abusing the powers of his office by giving false written answers to questions posed by Congress during the impeachment inquiry. In legal terms, the articles of impeachment are charges that will come before the Senate, which will act as a jury and decide if the charges are true and merit Clinton's removal from office. By 8:30 a.m. EST, before the members gathered on the House floor, Hillary Clinton was on Capitol Hill meeting with the Democratic caucus, where she set the emotional tone for the next phase of battle. According to Hill sources, the first lady said she "loves" her husband -- she has avoided such personal statements since August -- and urged congressmembers to stay focused on core Democratic issues. And as the House voted, Clinton and his top aides were already putting the finishing touches on a strategy to take control in the Senate and in the court of public opinion. Clinton's inner circle has been pared down to a cadre of loyal and very angry aides, true believers who accept the Clintons' belief that the drive to dethrone the president is motivated by right-wing Republicans rather than the rule of law. "The Republicans run a risk if they pursue a strategy that puts America's interest last," warned White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart. "The public has a certain amount of tolerance for partisan politics, and they've had just about enough." Clinton's political aides know enough to realize that the Republican Party is plummeting in the polls, down to its lowest approval ratings in decades. The president, aides say, will take his high approval ratings on an offensive in the first days of the new year. Right after the House vote, busloads of Democrats rode down Pennsylvania Avenue to link arms with the president. CNN broadcast the convoy driving across town from the Capitol to the White House, and it was surreally reminiscent of footage of O.J. Simpson's Bronco chase. At 4:30 p.m., three hours after the first vote of impeachment was announced, Clinton walked out of the White House, holding hands with the first lady, and took the high road. "I will continue to do the work of the American people," Clinton said, vowing to stay in office "until the last hour of the last day of my term." The president already has plans go take that message on the road, aides report. More than a month in advance, he's working on his State of the Union message and his budget. He will hammer home popular programs with something for everyone: to improve education, bolster Social Security and keep the military strong. Clinton is also stronger in the Senate than he is in the House. Three of his top aides -- chief of staff John Podesta, special counsel Gregory Craig and senior advisor Doug Sosnik -- have worked in the Senate. The president has personal ties with a number of senators, and he's already enlisted former Sens. George Mitchell and Bob Dole to take his case to their former colleagues. While the Clintons try to win the war of words, James Carville is girding for hand-to-hand combat by forming a political action committee designed to hold Republicans accountable for their impeachment votes. "They're going to get the blame for doing this," he said. "They've put something into motion, and they're going to have to live with the consequences of it." SALON \| Dec. 19, 1998 Harry Jaffe is a national editor at Washingtonian magazine. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Become a Salon member. Click here.