Gephardt Declines to Defend Clinton
House Minority Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) said Tuesday that he is reserving judgment on impeachment in the Monica S. Lewinsky case and will not commit to a partisan defense of President Clinton.
Gephardt called Clinton’s actions “reprehensible” and promised to give evidence a fair review once independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr gives his report to Congress.
Gephardt, opening a three-day swing of House districts with competitive races this fall, declined to defend the president on central questions: Did Clinton ask former White House intern Lewinsky to lie? Did he obstruct justice by trying to cover up the affair?
Gephardt said such questions must wait for Starr’s report.
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