Impeached! Clinton asks for `fairness' from Senate

William Jefferson Clinton Saturday became the second president in the nation's history to be impeached by the House of Representatives, setting the stage for what appears likely to be the political trial of the century in the Senate.

The bitterly divided House narrowly approved two articles of impeachment against Clinton — one for lying under oath to a federal grand jury about the details of his sexual liaison with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky and the other for obstruction of justice relating to his attempts to conceal the affair.

Two other impeachment articles charging Clinton with perjury in a civil suit and abuse of power were defeated.

Rep. Wally Herger, RMarysville, voted for all four impeachment articles.

“I strongly believe the facts prove the president has committed the very serious felonies of perjury and obstruction of justice, and has violated the trust of the american people,” he said in a statement afterwards. …

Republican lawmakers argued that Clinton had violated the law and that they had a duty to hold him accountable regardless of public opinion. …

Democrats, however, argued that Republicans had not proven their case and that even if it can be shown that Clinton committed perjury, lying under oath about a private sexual matter doesn't meet the constitutional test for impeachment. …

The only previous president to be impeached by the House was Andrew Johnson in February 1868. He was later acquitted in the Senate by one vote. … — Enterprise-Record, Dec. 20, 1998