The following exchange is from Dialogue Group 7, Thread 39.

1. Somebody quick PINCH ME!
Fri, Jan 8, 1999 - 12:55 PM/EST
openminded

AM I DREAMING? I could have swore I just witnessed in a press release on CNN,the Senate trial leaders actually saying they had a positve meeting this morning? After observing an unfair, partisan House debate and even yesterday's bickereing,could it be that they are finally realizing the need to lay the party lines down, and conduct themselves in a manner intended by our forefathers? Umm, I wonder what they're up to? Do we trust them?

From what I gather, they have agreed (Senators of both parties,Whitehouse lawyers)to go ahead and present the case,then decide as they go along if,when,who and how to dispose the witnesses while holding a vote to decide if they are even going to have the numbers needed to convict.I don't mean to look at the half empty glass of water, but are'nt they just putting their well known conflicts off. It seems to me they are just going to be arguing the same issues at a later date.

Anyway,it sure is refreshing and hopeful to think they may actually be coming around.Maybe it has just took this long to realize that the public indeed is watching them and their actions do hold consequences.
So,what do you think? Is this a good sign?

2. Hope springs eternal
Fri, Jan 8, 1999 - 1:14 PM/EST
markearnest

I'm watching the same thing. It looks like a good sign to me.

3. ...etiquette anyone?
Fri, Jan 8, 1999 - 3:15 PM/EST
Chalmers

Maybe the boys and girls will play nice for a while.

4. Just something that bothers me.
Sat, Jan 9, 1999 - 1:11 AM/EST
markearnest

Bi-partisianship only became important when the Democrats lost control of the House and Senate it seems...
I never heard it mentioned so much or groups so attacked for being partisan until '94.
hmmmmmm

5. response to the above
Sat, Jan 9, 1999 - 11:34 AM/EST
openminded

If they were'nt being attacked for being partisan before '94 then perhaps it's because they were'nt praticing it,as they have today. Remember in the Nixon impeachment inquiry, there was no partyline bickering, both Democrats and Republicans worked together and tackled only the issues at stake.

The Democrats were the majority then and we didn't see this desire to 'burn at the stake' tactics as we have seen in this recent witch hunt.Nixon was accused of lying and tax fraud,but the Democrats were even pressing that issue,they dealt with the more severe offenses.If we fastforward we see that the Clintons entire lives have been investigated,prodded..every check they ever wrote,every deal they ever made has been made an open book long before this Monica business came up.It started before they were even in the Whitehouse.

How bi-partisain is that?You cannot deny the handling of these recent events by the GOP has unfair,even unconstituional up to this point. That is why I am hoping that the Senate means what they say..they are going to do this right and just.Clinton has shamed himself,his family and yes,to a certain extent his institution,and to add insult to injury the Judiciary Committee and the House has been successful making a circus out of it.The Senate now has to somehow sort out this mess that has been laid in front of them,let's just hope that for once,somebody up there knows what they're doing.

7. Bipartisanship
Wed, Jan 13, 1999 - 1:10 AM/EST
fuchees

It won't last for long. The extremes in each party will force their team members to toe the line.

If Hyde et al perform anything less than a dead bang touchdown, the Republicans will the bear the brunt of the abuse from the extreme right who simply hate Clinton.

If Hyde pulls it off and makes a case that people just can't ignore, the Democrats will be under extreme pressure to vote in the president's favor and it has already been said by Maxine Waters that it will be made "difficult" for those who vote to convict. However, the Democrat Senators will be looking in the maw of history if they acquit in the face of public, overwhelming evidence that that impeachment charges are strong.

As a Californian, I have urged Sen. Feinstein (Sen. Boxer's vote is a forgone conclusion) to vote according to the evidence and set aside bipartisanship and to vote, against any censure. If there is no conviction, forget the censure and move on. I do hope my fellow Republicans support this view to let the process take its course and go no further.

Let the trial go full speed ahead and may the stronger position win.