January 13, 1999
Web posted at: 3:50 p.m. ET (1550 GMT)

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, January 12) -- President Bill Clinton said Wednesday he intends to go ahead with his State of the Union speech next Tuesday night, even though the Senate impeachment trial is ongoing. But Clinton has no plans to address the charges at that time, saying "the American people have heard about that quite extensively over the last year."

"I think they (the American people) would like it if somebody up here were putting their interests first, their business first, and I think that's what they expect me to do," Clinton said Wednesday.

"We have to deal with the problems of America, the challenges of America, the opportunities of America, and that's what I intend to do in the State of the Union speech," he said.

The president is spending hours this week reviewing and polishing speech drafts. He may do a full scale rehearsal in the White House family theater as soon as Wednesday.

The nation will be watching. Last year Clinton gave the speech just days after the Monica Lewinsky scandal broke and the television audience was about 25 percent larger than average. This year aides expect even more people to tune in.

Many lawmakers have urged the president to delay his speech or submit it in written form while the Senate is conducting its trial. Some senators say it would be awkward to receive the president as an honored guest on Capitol Hill while they sit in judgment.

Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas) said, "I think the president should not give the State of the Union address on the 19th. I think it would be a very bad precedent to set in the midst of an impeachment trial."

But White House officials say Clinton never considered cancelling or delaying the speech.

Throughout the year of scandal, while the president has often been his own worst witness in court, he has been his own best witness in public, trying to project the image of a leader focused on the nation's business. A senior aide also says first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton will be watching from the visitors' balcony.

Clinton will tout achievements, outline agenda

Sen. Richard Bryan (D-Nevada) said, "It is his opportunity to speak to the American people and define the priorities that he sees for this Congress to act upon and I believe he should go forward."

Over the past two weeks the president has provided a sneak preview of his speech during daily events devoted to single initiatives. They've addressed:

• January 2: In his weekly radio broadcast, Clinton asked for $100 billion over six years to beef up military readiness.
• January 4: In his first White House appearance this year, Clinton called for a $6.2 billion, five-year package of tax cuts and other help for families giving long-term care to the elderly and disabled.
• January 5: Clinton proposed $215 million in his next budget to test and treat inmates for drug use to keep them from returning to crime once freed.
• January 6: Trumpeting the budget surplus, Clinton warned against resting on laurels or hastily squandering the pot on tax cuts. He spoke of "investment needs" in education, job training and health research.
• January 7: Clinton called for tripling funds for after-school programs that keep kids motivated and occupied in the hours before their parents get home from work.
• January 12: Clinton unveiled a $1 billion environmental plan, nearly half of which will be used to buy vulnerable land in and near national parks.
• January 13: President proposed a $2 billion, five-year budget package to help tens of thousands of disabled Americans return to work through a combination of health coverage, tax credits and better rehabilitation services.

CNN's Chris Black and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Wednesday January 13, 1999

• Lewinsky denies Judiciary Committee request for interview
• Clinton will not address impeachment in State of the Union
• Transcript: Clinton answers questions about Senate impeachment trial
• Document: Trial memorandum of President Clinton
• Poll: New Hampshire Democrats lean toward Gore
• Barr: 'I have never, would never perjure myself'
• Transcript: Barr and Flynt on CNN's Larry King Live
• Court weighs smaller welfare benefits for newcomers
• Clinton to Jones: The check's in the mail
• Thieves break into office of Israeli candidate's pollster
• Linda Tripp tops Blackwell's worst-dressed list
• Operatives with both parties see risks to impeachment trial
• Judge Rehnquist demands preparation
• GOP pushes campaign finance bill
• Clinton hails Michael Jordan's mind, body, spirit
• Court rules police don't have to say how to reclaim seized property
• Jewish leaders' appeal for Pollard delays Reno's advice
• Clinton set to back $2 billion, disability-to-work program
• Gay man renominated for ambassadorship
• Sources: Gingrich may run for governor

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