As stated in your lead editorial today (12/20/98) regarding the issues now in front of the U.S. Senate, ...they and the country face the problem of dealing with a battered President whose calculated strategy of lying over the airways and under oath has prolonged this crisis...".Therein lies the real dilemma. We have to ask, are we better off with a senate trial and conviction, a meaningful censure that diminishes the President, or a resignation. Those are our options and none are pretty.
It is unfortunate, but Mr. Clinton has permanently lost credibility with a large portion of the American public, including many who would like to see him continue as President. We can hope that no serious crisis arises during the next two years to test his ability to lead, but that may be dangerous wishful thinking. Is it really in our best interest to see Mr. Clinton finish out his term, or are we simply blinded by our desire to deny his opponents the satisfaction of his removal? They are separate questions and we must decide the former without regard to the latter, difficult as that may be.
