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Republican Party (United States)

Republican Leaders Divided on Clinton Investigation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the investigation into President Clinton's relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky continues, a rift is emerging among prominent Republicans in Congress. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott's recent comments on CNN's Evans and Novak show have sparked discord among Republican leaders, with some arguing that an independent counsel should "show us what he's got" and others cautioning that the party should avoid impeachment proceedings unless there is an "open and shut case." The disagreement highlights the challenges facing the Republican Party as they navigate the sensitive issue of presidential misconduct.

Key Takeaways:

  • Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) dismissed congressional censure of President Clinton as a meaningless gesture, suggesting that it would be worthless and not a serious action by the Congress.
  • Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) suggested that censure might be a necessary action, but his comments were met with resistance from other Republican leaders, including House Speaker Newt Gingrich.
  • Senator Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) acknowledged that a censure resolution would be legally inconsequential but expressed the hope that an expression of censure from the United States Congress would be meaningful.
  • Rep. Bill McCollum (R-Fla.) of the House Judiciary Committee noted that it is just as likely that independent counsel Kenneth Starr doesn't have hard evidence against President Clinton, which would end the investigation.

Statistics:

  • 2nd straight day that Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott has run afoul of his GOP colleagues for comments on CNN's Evans and Novak show.
  • 1 House Speaker Newt Gingrich disagreed with Lott's assertion that independent counsel Kenneth Starr should "show us what he's got" and move quickly to end the investigation.
  • 1 independent counsel Kenneth Starr has been investigating President Clinton's relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky.
  • No statistics are mentioned in the original text describing the exact numbers of congressmen in favor or opposition of impeachment proceedings.
  • No statistics are mentioned regarding the exact percentage of congressmen in favor of censure.

Sources:

  • Fox News Sunday
  • CNN's Evans and Novak show
  • ABC's This Week with Sam Donaldson and Cokie Roberts
  • The Associated Press

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