GOP Airs Differences Over Lewinsky Probe

Lewinsky and Ginsburg

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, March 8) -- Republican politicians on Sunday aired more differing views over how to respond to the Monica Lewinsky affair and independent counsel Kenneth Starr's proceedings.

On Saturday, Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott had floated the idea of censuring President Bill Clinton, if there was insufficient evidence to impeach him, and also called on Starr to wrap up his investigation quickly.

But on Sunday, Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter was rather critical of that proposal.

"I can understand that Trent is anxious. So am I. But when you take a look at the particulars, all the delays that Ken Starr has faced, I think he has to be given more time to finish his investigation," Specter said on Fox TV.

Tennessee Republican Sen. Fred Thompson, interviewed on ABC's "This Week," backed Specter in counseling patience and allowing Starr to finish the job.

Starr

"We need to let him (Starr) alone and get on with his job ... He should take the time that he needs and hopefully no more time than that," he said.

As for impeachment, Specter said Republicans should only push that option if there was an "open and shut case" of obstruction of justice against Clinton.

"America cannot stand the trauma of an impeachment matter unless it is cut and dried," he said.

On CNN's "Late Edition," Bill McCollum of Florida said if Starr found evidence that the president lied or obstructed justice, there should be hearings.

"Not necessarily impeachment articles filed, but hearings on the subject, and I think the public would expect that," said McCollum, a member of the House Judiciary Committee that would hold such hearings.

Starr is probing allegations that Clinton carried on a sexual affair with Lewinsky when she was a 21-year-old low-level aide, then urged her to lie about it under oath. Clinton has firmly denied both allegations.

Asked whether he was working on the legal issue of impeachment for Starr, Professor Ronald Rotunda of the University of Illinois Law School told CNN only that he was working as a special consultant to Starr.

Rotunda said his expertise was in the area of constitutional law and legal ethics and that his work for Starr had to do with those areas.

Sunday March 8, 1998

• Whitewater Figure James McDougal Dies In Prison
• GOP Airs Differences Over Lewinsky Probe