Clinton's Grand Jury Testimony: A Mixed Bag for Impeachment

President Clinton's video testimony has been described as a potential disaster for his presidency, but it is unlikely to convince most Americans that impeachment is the proper punishment for his misdeeds. While Clinton refused to answer tough questions, his performance is unlikely to help Republicans close the sale on impeachment. Clinton's testimony dealt inconclusively with the most serious allegations in the case, including obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and asking people to lie under oath.

Key Takeaways:

• The video testimony shows Clinton refusing to answer tough questions, but it is unlikely to convince most Americans that impeachment is the proper punishment for his misdeeds.
• Clinton insisted that he had not sexually stimulated Monica Lewinsky, contrary to what she told the grand jury, but Starr's report builds a case for her veracity.
• Clinton pleaded a faulty memory, saying he gave the best answer he could based on his best memory, in response to questions about the most serious allegations in the case.
• If perjury does emerge as the strongest charge against Clinton, it will be up to Republican members of Congress to decide if there is enough evidence to constitute "high crimes and misdemeanors."
• Clinton's attorney, David Kendall, made the argument that impeachment would be disproportionate punishment for sex-related perjury, comparing it to Richard Nixon's public statements about the corruption of the IRS, CIA, and FBI during Watergate.
• Clinton concluded his testimony with a direct appeal to the public, suggesting he assumed the videotape would wind up on TV.
• Starr's report makes a case that Lewinsky is a credible witness, with her memories corroborated by other witnesses, and the White House not contesting that Clinton stained her dress.
• Clinton's denials of a relationship with Lewinsky were less than persuasive, with Clinton offering various explanations for his seemingly flat denial.

Statistics:

• Local time and date: The testimony was given on an unspecified date in mid-August 1998, with Clinton testifying that he had spent five-and-a-half years devoted to his job.
• Number of lies: Clinton admitted to misleading his aides, with Starr deeming this potentially impeachable.
• Number of instances when Clinton was alone with Lewinsky: Clinton recalled multiple instances, but sought to avoid the impression that he had misled under oath in January.

Sources:

• (c) 1998, The Philadelphia Inquirer. Visit Philadelphia Online, the Inquirer's World Wide Web site, at http://www.phillynews.com/ Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.