House Managers Finalize Witness List for Clinton Impeachment

Strategic Insights -

House managers have chosen three witnesses, including former White House intern Monica Lewinsky, presidential confidant Vernon E. Jordan Jr., and White House communications adviser Sidney Blumenthal, to bolster the case against President Clinton. The choice was made after weighing each potential witness on the merits of what they could offer, with a focus on those who could provide the most compelling testimony. The decision was finalized at a meeting on Tuesday morning between House managers and Senate Republicans, who had been applying pressure to cut the witness list.

Key Takeaways:

  • The House managers chose Monica Lewinsky, Vernon E. Jordan Jr., and Sidney Blumenthal as the three witnesses for the impeachment case against President Clinton.
  • The decision was made after careful consideration of each potential witness, with a focus on those who could provide the most compelling testimony.
  • The choice of witnesses was influenced by the Senate Republicans' pressure to cut the witness list, with the goal of "smoothing the waters" on the issue of witnesses.
  • The three witnesses offer a unique perspective on the case, with Lewinsky able to provide firsthand testimony on the cover story she and Clinton agreed on, Jordan able to clarify conflicts in his grand jury appearances, and Blumenthal able to testify about his discussions with the first lady and Clinton's comments about Lewinsky.
  • The House managers expect Lewinsky to testify on the cover story, the genesis of hiding gifts from Clinton, and whether help in her job search was a payoff for silence in the scandal.
  • Jordan will testify on the conflicts in his grand jury appearances and whether he discussed the affair, told Lewinsky to get rid of notes, or discussed the contents of her false affidavit.
  • Blumenthal will testify on his discussions with the first lady and Clinton, as well as the connection between Clinton's comments about Lewinsky and tips to reporters intended to destroy her reputation.
  • The House managers say that they have a "good case" already without Betty Currie, and that Jordan is a better witness than Currie because he can testify on more disputed instances in the obstruction of justice case.

Statistics:

  • 40 gifts given by President Clinton to Monica Lewinsky were retrieved and hidden under her bed by presidential secretary Betty Currie.
  • Vernon E. Jordan Jr. has appeared before the grand jury five times, all of which predated admissions by President Clinton and the grant of immunity that allowed Lewinsky to tell her story to the grand jury.
  • The disputes between Jordan and Lewinsky on grand jury testimony relate to whether he discussed the sexual affair, told her to get rid of notes she had written or discussed the contents of her false affidavit.
  • The total number of witnesses House managers considered was five, but they were ultimately narrowed down to three.

Sources:

  • "House Managers Finalize Witness List for Clinton Impeachment" (no date provided)
  • "PHOTOS/BOX WITNESSES: WHO AND WHY" (no date provided)
  • Senate Republicans (no date provided)
  • House Judiciary Committee (no date provided)
  • Washington Post (no date provided)
  • White House (no date provided)