December 1998

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December 1998

In December 1998, the Clinton administration and the Democratic Party were almost entirely consumed by the impeachment crisis surrounding President Bill Clinton. This was the dominant political event of the month and one of the most dramatic moments in modern U.S. history.Key events and Democratic/Clinton administration activities in December 1998:1. House Impeachment Vote (December 19, 1998)The U.S. House of Representatives, controlled by Republicans, voted to impeach President Clinton on two articles:Article I: Perjury before Kenneth Starr’s grand jury (passed 228–206)
Article II: Obstruction of justice (passed 221–212)

Almost all Republicans voted yes; almost all Democrats voted no. Five Democrats crossed party lines to vote for one or both articles, and five Republicans voted against.

2. Democratic Response and Defense StrategyDemocrats uniformly portrayed the impeachment as a partisan, politically motivated attack over private consensual behavior (the Monica Lewinsky affair) rather than legitimate "high crimes and misdemeanors."
House Democratic leaders (Dick Gephardt, David Bonior) and the White House coordinated a fierce defense, arguing the punishment (impeachment) did not fit the offense.
The famous line repeated by many Democrats: “This is about sex and not about governing.”

3. White House and Clinton’s Personal ActivitiesDecember 16–19: Operation Desert Fox (bombing campaign against Iraq)Just three days before the impeachment vote, Clinton ordered a major 4-day bombing campaign against Iraqi weapons sites.
Republicans loudly accused Clinton of “wagging the dog” (using military action to distract from impeachment). Democrats and the White House insisted the timing was dictated by military necessity and UN weapons inspector reports.

December 19: After the House vote, Clinton gave a short Rose Garden statement:“I am profoundly sorry… but now that the House has acted, it is time to move on… This can be and this must be a time of reconciliation and renewal for America.”

4. Democratic Party ReactionsVirtually unanimous solidarity with Clinton among elected Democrats (especially in the House and Senate).
Intense anger toward Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr and House Judiciary Chairman Henry Hyde (R-IL).
Many Democrats predicted (correctly) that the Senate would acquit Clinton in early 1999.

5. Other Notable Democratic Figures’ Actions in December 1998Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) had criticized Clinton’s behavior as “immoral” earlier in the fall but still voted against both articles of impeachment when the trial reached the Senate.
Al Gore (Vice President) was extremely loyal, repeatedly calling Clinton “one of our greatest presidents” and defending him publicly throughout the crisis.

Summary of Democratic Posture in December 1998Closed ranks around Clinton despite private discomfort many felt about his behavior.
Framed the entire episode as Republican obsession with sex and revenge for Watergate and the 1994 Republican takeover of Congress.
Successfully turned public opinion further against the impeachment process (Clinton’s approval rating stayed above 60–70 % throughout).

In short, December 1998 was the climax of the Lewinsky scandal and impeachment drama—almost every other policy or political activity of the Clinton administration and Democrats took a back seat to surviving the House vote and preparing for the upcoming Senate trial (January–February 1999).

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