Ii - The Michigan Daily - Friday, February 12, 1999 TRIAL OF THE PRESIDENT i "He should be removed from office but he won't be because he's a liar and because there's too many dirty politics on Capitol Hill." - Sarah Cover, LSA junior "I agree with the verdict, but I deplore the fact that there wasn't a censure." - Mike Wallace, correspondent, 60 Minutes and University alum "A lot of people make those kind of mistakes." - Miguel Perez, Couzens Residence Hall dining service "Our budget is balanced for once; our economy's soaring - Clinton's personal life is nobody's business." - Mike Garcia, LSA first-year student "Democrats are the party of working-class people. They're worried about real problems, not Monica." - Ebony Robinson, LSA sophomore "It's a triumph for democracy ... the American government is* inherently bipartisan." - Cyrus Kholdani, LSA first-year student "The charges do not rise to the level of high crimes and misdemeanors. I think most of the people feel the same way." - William Ingram, Alice Lloyd Hall Scholars program director The nation must move on The trial of President Clinton was plagued with partisan attacks and votes "It's not really a good thing or a bad thing - I mean, who wants Al Gore?" - Brian Mount, Engineering first-year student For the second time in our country's his- tory, the Senate was forced to vote on the guilt or innocence of the U.S. presi- dent. And for the second time in our coun- try's history, the nation's chief executive was found not guilty. Although the process was tainted with partisanship, the Senate made the decision that was best for the country. Now Clinton must salvage what is left of his presidency, which has been tar- nished by a Republican-led witch hunt. The independent counsel was approved originally as an investigation into Cinton's Whitewater transactions. But it evolved into an open-ended inquiry into Clinton's character. Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr turned over every stone in pursuit of a skeleton inside the president's character, with more than $40 million supporting his quest. Last January, Starr found what he was searching for - a scandal that he hoped would bring the president down. Its content was sure to keep the public capti- vated, as it was smothered in sex, lies and videotape. When the vote on articles of impeach- ment moved to the House, partisanship dominated the debates. The House's job was to set guidelines of impeachment that defined "High Crimes and Misdemeanors." The representatives did not do that. Giving evasive answers about a sexual relationship with an intern may be sleazy, but it is not a hi h crime. It was The preside especial y disappointing salvage Wh that the House vote was almost completely left of his p divided along party cy, Which h lines. The debates on the tarnished b House floor were oftenw uncivilized and inappro- witch hunt priate, focusing more on Starr and H sex than perjury. Our Republican! 435 representatives played a partisan game with one of their most important consti- tutional responsibilities. When the articles moved to the Senate, undits nationwide speculated that the igher house of Congress would provide a more sophisticated and intellectual forum n a; y l 10 S. for debate on Clinton's - and the country's - future. Supreme Court Chief Justice William Rehnquist was presiding over the trial, so it would be impossible for the sen- ators to dis lay the same irresponsible behavior as t e representatives. The Senate tnal, however, was mostly dominated by partisan rhetoric t must and Sunday morning talk show t is appearances. Many of the proce- du ral votes, including the deci- esiden- sion to depose Monica s been Lewinsky, Vernon Jordan and a Sidney Blumenthal, were ap roved due to Republican con- ,d by trol in the Senate. use Ten Senate Republicans transcended party lines and cast not guilty votes on the first article, and five on the second article, for the good of the coun- try, and they must be commended. If the Senate removed Clinton from office, the nation's economy, polity and morale would have suffered greatly. The Senate should remove a president or judge if the official's conduct threatens the safety or well being of the nation. Clinton's actions, however, did not harm the United States. They were dishonest and of poor character. With a war chest o* more than $40 million, however, a lawyer could find skeletons in anybody's closet. Now the Senate has decided, as a body, that Clinton's actions did not con- stitute removal from office. It is impor- tant to note that while two-thirds of the Senate must vote to remove Clinton from office, less than half of the sena- tors voted that he was guilty on the first article, and exactly ha lfon the second. Clinton must attempt to move on wit* the presidency. He will forever be impeached by the House, so it will be dif- ficult for him to have the same power and voice as he did before the reresentatives cast their thoughtless votes. But now it is time for the House, Senate and Clinton to work together and get back to governing the nation, which will be forever scarred by the partisan attack on our 42nd presi- dent. -,1 -- "My deep hope is that the country, both in terms of citzenry and ... the government in Washington, will turn its attention to the more profound issues." - Ralph Williams, English and religion professor SHAPING THE NATION: "Justice was served. Now the manhunt is over, we can get back to the real agenda." - Kelley Boland, president, College Democrats A TIMELINE OF PEOPLE AND EVENTS "Everybody does stuff and I don't think people voted for him because he was a good person per se." - Diego Bernal,co-chair, La Voz Mexicana Sen. Spencer Abraham is "just a Republican functionary that votes the way his party leaders tell him to. Michigan can do better." - Geoffrey Fieger, Detroit civil attorney and defeated gubernatorial candidate Summer, 1995: Monica Lewinsky works as an intern at the White House November, 1995: Lewinsky begins sexual relationship with President Clinton, according to a conversation taped in January 1998 Jan. 7, 1998: In a sworn affidavit to Paula Jones' attorneys, Lewinsky testifies that she had no relationship with Clinton. Jan 12. 1998: Tripp gives special prosecutor Kenneth Starr 20 hours of conversation with Lewinsky that she taped. Lewinsky allegedly tells Tripp she had an affair with Clinton. Jan. 13, 1998: Tripp is wired with a recording device from the Federal Bureau of Investigation. During her conversation with Lewinsky, Lewins allegedly tells Tripp that Clinton asked her to conceal their relationship Jan. 17, 1998: Jones' lawyers question Clinton under oath. Clinton denies a sexual affair with Lewinsky Jan. 18, 1998: Internet gossip journalist Matt Drudge publishes a story in the Drudge Report about how Newsweek held off on a story detailing Clinton's relationship with Lewinsky Jan. 20, 1998: Major news media sources confirm that Starr has expanded his Whitewater investigation to include subordination of perjury and obstruction of justice relating to Lewinsky Jan. 21, 1998: Clinton claims his relationship with Lewinsky is " not sexual" and denies accusations that he asked Lewinsky to lie under oath Jan. 26. 1998: Clinton Lewinsky Jan. 27, 1998: Starr launches open-jury investigation int Leinsky allegations March 3 1998: Vernon Jordan, Clinton's friend, testifies before grand jury March 21, 1998: To limit testimony of his aides Bruce Lindsay and Sindey Blumenthal,C linton invokes executive privilege. " May 5, 1998: Judge strikes down claims of executive privilege June 30, 1998: Tripp be ins grand jury te imony. July 26, 1998: Clinton reportedly subpoenaed by Starr July 28, 1998: Lewinsky gets immunity from Starr July 29, 1998: Starr's office removes subpoena after Clinton agrees to testify voluntarily Aug. 6, 1998: Lewinsky testifies before grand jury Au . 17, 1998: Clinton testifies before grand r from his office. Latert at day, Clinton addresses American public, admits to an inappropriate relationship with Lewinsky Sept. 9, 1998: Starr sends his final report, 18 boxes of documents, to the House of Representatives Sept. 11, 1998: Starr's report becomes available Hyde Dec. 12 1998: Led by Henry Hyde (R-ll.), the House Judiciary Committee approves final article o impeach- ment, .which accuses Clinton of perury for his responses to the committee's 81 questions Dec. 19, 1998: the House votes to impeach Clinton on two of the charges - perjuand obstruction of justice Jan. 7 1999: Senate be ins impeachment trial. Chief Justice William Rehnquist is sworn in to preside over trial Today: Clinton acquit- ted by the Senate. Michigan Senator Carl Levin casts deciding vote on second article 0 iU The Michigan Daily (ISSN 0745.967) is published Monday through Friday during the fall and winter terms by students at the University of Michigan. Subscriptions for fall term, starting in September, via U S. mail are $85. Winter term (January through April) is $95, yeariong (September through April) is $165. On-campus sub- scriptions for fall term are $35. Subscriptions must be prepaid. {The Michigan Daily is a member of the Associated Press and the Associated Collegiate Press. ADDRESS: The Michigan Daily, 420 Maynard St., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109.1327. PHONE NUMBERS (Al area code 7341: News 76-DAILY; Arts 763,0379; Sports 647-3336; Opinion 764-0552; Circulation 764-0558; Classified advertising 7640557; Display advertising 764-0554; Billing 764-0550. E-mail letters to the editor to duiydtettersutmich~edU. 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