Statement on Impeachment     12/16/1998

For months, we have been saying that character counts. That has not changed. But the debate over whether President Clinton should be impeached or not, goes way beyond just his character, or lack of it.

Even if we disregard the fact that he lied to his family, his cabinet, his political party, this nation, and the entire world, he broke the law. The impeachment is about the President of the United States breaking the law.

He did it by perjuring himself on more than one occasion before the Paula Jones grand jury, obstructing justice by encouraging people like Betty Currie and Monica Lewinsky to conceal evidence, and abusing his power by encouraging everyone around him to lie for him.

In addition to verbally “misleading” the grand jury, he also sat quietly while his attorney, Robert Bennett assured the court that there was no sexual activity between himself and Monica Lewinsky.

It was always my understanding that when you take an oath in court, you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. That is not a difficult statement and seems pretty clear. But maybe it's not. I guess “that depends on what you mean by 'truth'.”

By not holding this president accountable for his actions, we are saying that perjury, obstruction of justice, and abuse of power don't mean anything. But since when is the president above the law? Why isn't he held to the same rule of law that his citizens are held to?

President Bill Clinton has disgraced our country, his family, the sacred office of the Presidency, and now he is trying to disgrace the judicial system in our nation. He should be held accountable for his actions and he should do the honorable thing and resign. If he cannot find enough moral courage to do that, then Congress should take it on as their responsibility to impeach him.

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