Podesta noted that another former majority leader, Republican Bob Dole, recently wrote a guest column in The New York Times proposing a joint resolution of Congress to censure Clinton. On Saturday, the House approved two articles of impeachment against Clinton - one charging him with perjury, the other with obstruction of justice. Two other counts were defeated. The matter was referred immediately to the 100-member Senate for resolution. The last time the Senate held a trial for the nation's chief executive, in 1868, it acquitted President Andrew Johnson by a single vote.
Conviction takes a two-thirds majority.
Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said the Senate was obligated to hold a trial, but it could be tamed by taking testimony from some witnesses in private. It will not demean the Senate. Copyright 1999 Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.