The harsh reaction of some GOP lawmakers to the bombing of Iraq underscores how Clinton's troubles are affecting his ability to lead despite his strong public approval ratings. That's why, on the eve of an impeachment trial, there is increasing discussion of whether a statesmanlike Democratic senator could repeat what Barry Goldwater did in 1974 and journey to the White House to ask the president to resign. No one expects wholesale defections from Clinton, but his support is anything but bedrock. Many other senators have said nothing, as though rehearsing for their upcoming roles as jurors during a trial in which they would sit in mute judgment. These usually loquacious politicians would be allowed only to submit written questions to the judge, Chief Justice William Rehnquist.
Every verdict is like the tolling of the bell in dead silence.
There are 100 tolls. You are watching history unfold with every vote. At least that's how it has happened before. Just what procedure the Senate would follow is still at issue. The only other presidential impeachment trial took place in 1868, when a bipartisan team of lawyer-politicians won the acquittal of Andrew Johnson by one vote.