Turning Points

In the chronology of events leading up to President Clinton’s impeachment and trial, a handful of moments proved to be pivotal. In many cases, the consequences were not apparent at the time.

November 1995: With the federal government closed by a political budget showdown, White House intern Monica S. Lewinsky delivers pizza to the Oval Office. She and Clinton begin a clandestine affair.

Lewinsky normally wouldn’t have had an easy time getting to the president’s office, but the government shutdown meant most White House staff had the day off.

May 1997: The Supreme Court allows Paula Corbin Jones’ sexual harassment lawsuit against Clinton to proceed.

The decision was 9-0. But justices may now wonder whether they were right to predict that the case would have little impact on the presidency.

September 1997: Negotiations to settle the Jones lawsuit collapse.

Clinton’s lawyers were ready to settle for $700,000. But Jones’ husband wanted an apology from the president, and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton objected to that.

January 1998: Atty. Gen. Janet Reno approves a request from independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr to investigate the Lewinsky matter.

Reno could have assigned the issue to Justice Department lawyers or sought the appointment of another independent counsel. But Starr aides told here they could intercept a crime as it was being committed.

February 1998: Clinton rejects his lawyers’ suggestion that he correct his deposition in the Jones lawsuit.

Witnesses have 30 days to correct errors in testimony. Clinton would have taken legal and political risks in clarifying his deposition, but he could have weakened the charges against him.

August 1998: Clinton stumbles in his grand jury testimony, insisting he never touched Lewinsky sexually.

The president intended to stick to a carefully drafted statement on his contact with Lewinsky. But under questioning he went further, giving Starr’s prosecutors more evidence.

November 1998: Buoyed by victory in congressional elections, Democrats fail to press for a quick resolution.

Some now think they might have headed off impeachment if they had pushed for peace instead of prematurely declaring victory. Others contend it was already too late.