December 19, 1998
Web posted at: 6:00 p.m. EST (2300 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, December 19) -- President Bill Clinton, flanked by dozens of House Democrats, vowed Saturday to fill out his remaining time in office and appealed for "a reasonable, bipartisan and proportionate response" when the U.S. Senate takes up his perjury and obstruction of justice case next year.

"We must stop the politics of personal destruction," said Clinton, who becomes only the second American president to face the humiliation of impeachment. "We must get rid of the poisonous venom of excessive partisanship, obsessive animosity and uncontrolled anger. That is not what America deserves. That is not what America is about."

Clinton said he wants to work to keep the country moving forward.

Gephardt speaks out for Clinton

"It's what I've tried to do for six years," he said. "It's what I intend to do for two more until the last hour of the last day of my term."

Clinton spoke publicly just hours after the House of Representatives voted largely along party lines to approve two articles of impeachment charging him with perjury and obstruction of justice in his attempt to hide his illicit sexual affair with Monica Lewinsky, a former White House intern.

Clinton noted he has accepted responsibility for what he did wrong, and appealed for a fair, constitutional way to resolve his case promptly. "Meanwhile I will continue to do the work of American people," Clinton said, pointing to the need for Social Security and Medicare reform and a patients' bill of rights.

On the gravest afternoon of his presidency, Clinton met with the House Democrats, presumably to discuss strategy for the upcoming Senate trial. The Democrats rode buses across town to the White House for the meeting, then stood behind their beleaguered leader as he spoke in the Rose Garden.

Mrs. Clinton looks on as her husband speaks

Clinton emerged shortly after 4:15 p.m. ET, arm in arm with his wife Hillary, for a rally and show of support. With him were Vice President Al Gore and House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt.

Gephardt said what happened in the House was "a partisan vote that was a disgrace to our country and our Constitution."

Saturday, December 19, 1998

• House impeaches Clinton
• Reaction to impeachment mixed, emotional
• DeLay, Gingrich support Hastert for House speaker
• Clinton appeals for 'reasonable' compromise
• What's next in the impeachment process?
• Livingston bows out of the speakership
• Poll: Public still prefers censure
• Transcript: Clinton reacts to impeachment vote
• First lady delivers pep talk to Democrats
• White House says GOP's strategy is to get Clinton to resign
• House roll call: Article I
• House roll call: Article II
• House roll call: Article III
• House roll call: Article IV
• Clinton radio address: U.S. is vigilant on Iraq
• GOP radio address: Iraq shouldn't stall debate

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