Most represent suburban or suburban-rural districts that vote heavily Republican. Democrats have contended throughout the impeachment process that Clinton's offenses do not warrant removal from office. But House Republicans say that to dismiss the case without a full-fledged trial would trivialize the charges, offend the rule of law and mock the House's impeachment decision. They maintain that anything less than a full trial would bolster the Democrats' contention that the impeachment process in the House was nothing more than a political vendetta against Clinton. Illinois Rep. Henry Hyde, who will act as lead prosecutor and give closing arguments, has been making the case for witnesses in negotiations with the Senate.
Witnesses are what makes the case, what puts meat on the bones.
And that's what we have to do,'' says Rep. Asa Hutchinson, R-Ark. He wants to question Clinton's paramour Monica Lewinsky, confidant Vernon Jordan and confidential secretary Betty Currie. Others on the House prosecutors ''wish list'' of witnesses, says Rep. Ed Bryant, R-Tenn., are present and former White House aides John Podesta, Erskine Bowles, Harold Ickes, Sidney Blumenthal and Dick Morris. Bryant says the testimony from Clinton's aides would help prove the obstruction of justice. Copyright 1999 Associated Press .