Sunday, February 07, 1999
Lewinsky tapes finally go public
BY DAVID ESPO
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Monica Lewinsky told her story in public at long last on Saturday, testifying in videotape snippets before President Clinton's impeachment trial and a nationwide television audience about a White House sexual affair and cover-up.
First House prosecutors, then the president's defense team played segments of her taped deposition for the Senate to buttress the case for and against Mr. Clinton's conviction.
Ms. Lewinsky's image, a young woman in a dark dress adorned by a single strand of pearls, lit up four large video monitors in the Senate chamber. Viewers saw her flip her hair from her face periodically.
There was no indication her testimony had shaken the prospects for Mr. Clinton's expected acquittal on the two articles of impeachment by the end of the week. Already, Democrats were angling for Republican votes for a plan to censure the president following his acquittal.
Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, told reporters he thought a majority of senators might vote Mr. Clinton guilty, more on the charge of obstruction of justice than on perjury. But that would be far less than the two-thirds needed to convict him and remove him from office.
Democratic support for Mr. Clinton is overwhelming, although West Virginia's Sen. Robert C. Byrd left open the possibility in an ABC interview that he might vote to convict.
Some Democrats said Ms. Lewinsky had helped Mr. Clinton's cause.
But Mr. Craig said the prosecutors' presentation, which included videotaped testimony from Ms. Lewinsky, presidential friend Vernon Jordan and White House aide Sidney Blumenthal, was “devastating to the White House.”
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
