February 2, 1999
Web posted at: 6:15 p.m. EST (2315 GMT)

WASHINGTON (February 2) -- While this week's closed-door witness depositions continue, so does the search in the Senate for a bipartisan exit strategy to end President Bill Clinton's impeachment trial.

Listen to Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut explain why he would consider a 'finding of fact' proposal outlining the president's misdeeds:

"I believe that it is the way to bring this trial to an earlier ending on a less partisan note that makes clear that though the president will not be removed from office -- which it's clear that he will not -- that the Senate does not intend to exonerate him or vindicate his behavior," Lieberman said.

Sen. Orrin Hatch

Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah prefers adjourning the trial to acquitting the president. He would attach a statement outlining the president's misdeeds.

Why? In part, Hatch wrote in Tuesday's New York Times, because "it would deny the President an acquittal -- the result he craves for his own historic legitimacy."

Finally, listen to Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia, who wants the Senate to vote up or down on acquittal and then move to censure Clinton.

"Because he shouldn't get off scot-free and people should not see him as having gotten off scot-free," Byrd said. "I don't think it should be a wishy-washy censure resolution; I think it should be a very strong resolution of censure."

A group of Republican senators is hoping to put together a finding of facts proposal in time for debate in Thursday's scheduled party meeting. Hatch continues to look for support for his "adjournment plus" plan. He called it "the highest form of condemnation that can be made under the circumstances."

And a group of Democrats is trying to put the final touches on a censure resolution and then push it across party lines.

They are all efforts based on a bipartisan feeling that acquittal should not be cause for celebration at the White House.

For Republicans, it's a strategy which can serve as a buffer between the GOP and angry voters. For Democrats, it's an exit with a slap at the president that offers protection against charges that they accepted what many feel was unacceptable behavior.

Even if senators cannot agree what "it" is, many Republicans and Democrats fear that if an acquittal is allowed to stand alone, the president will be seen as "getting away with it." Bipartisan agreements have been forged on a lot less.

Tuesday, February 2, 1999

• Lewinsky testifies; offered 'regrets' from Clinton attorney
• Hyde says Lewinsky, Jordan depositions strengthen House case
• Senators worry about exonerating Clinton
• White House defends budget plan against strong GOP criticism
• Gephardt won't run for president
• Clinton orders damage assessment of alleged Chinese espionage
• DeLay criticized for '94 deposition
• GOP pondering 'fact-finding' option
• Amos Allard, father of senator, dies
• Gas tax money sparks highway fight
• Post office ends year with surplus
• Clinton proposes $10M bigotry study
• Bush's Hispanic support debated
• Clinton proclaims February Black History Month
• Tipper Gore debunks stigma of mental illness
• Arafat invited to prayer breakfast
• Who's giving what to candidates
• Brown confidant guilty in tax case
• Clinton denies he seeks to 'micromanage' US schools
• Governor, judge stop Florida from selling license photos

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