Sunday, February 07, 1999
GOP senators express doubts about perjury charge
Obstruction case called stronger
BY GUY GUGLIOTTA and ERIC PIANIN
The Washington Post
WASHINGTON — Even before final arguments in President Clinton's impeachment trial, the House GOP prosecutors' losing case is facing an added indignity: Large numbers of senators from their own party appear unwilling to support a charge that Mr. Clinton lied about his relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
Some GOP senators say that no more than 40 of the Senate's 55 Republicans may vote for the first impeachment article, the one charging perjury.
They believe the House managers have made a much stronger case that Mr. Clinton obstructed justice by covering up his affair, and expressed far greater willingness to vote for the second charge.
But at least one, Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., a conservative who has frequently voiced doubt about the managers' case, said: “I don't know if either one has measured up to the burden the House has to meet for conviction.”
“I sense, as many people do, that there will be more senators voting to convict on obstruction than on perjury,” said Sen. Bill Frist, R-Tenn.
Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., said although he found several “very disconcerting” statements in the deposition testimony, such as White House aide Sidney Blumenthal's “use of the term “liar” or “lied” in his discussion of Mr. Clinton's behavior, “my guess is it's not going to change any votes.”
“If you look at it in technical terms, the president perjured himself before the grand jury — I have no question about that,” added Sen. Robert F. Bennett, R-Utah. “But you add the question of materiality: Did it affect anything? In basketball lingo, "no harm, no foul.'”
What's next in impeachmment trial
ENQUIRER EDITORIAL
GOP senators express doubts about perjury charge
Lewinsky tapes finally go public
Lewinsky shows varied sides
Voinovich, McConnell: Testimony compelling
Opposing leaders keep talking, keep peace
Clinton Under Fire page
