November 1998

[admin]

November 1998 was the pivotal month when the Clinton impeachment crisis shifted into its most intense and decisive phase. The midterm elections had just delivered a shocking rebuke to the Republicans, and the House Judiciary Committee immediately began drafting articles of impeachment. The Clinton administration and Democrats spent the entire month in full political-war mode.Key Events and Activities – November 1998Date
Event
Clinton Admin / Democratic Activity
Nov 3
1998 Midterm Elections
Democrats gain 5 House seats (defying historical trends). Clinton’s approval rating ~65–70%. Democrats energized.
Nov 5
Kenneth Starr submits his full report to Congress with new allegations
White House calls it “a partisan hit job”; begins aggressive counter-offense.
Nov 6
Clinton fires back: publicly apologizes again but refuses to resign
Famous line: “I will not resign and will “never resign.”
Nov 9
Clinton formally responds to the 81 questions from Henry Hyde’s committee
Answers are legalistic and evasive on key points; Republicans call it more perjury.
Nov 13
Clinton settles the Paula Jones lawsuit for $850,000 (no admission of guilt)
Seen as attempt to remove one legal cloud, but Republicans say it proves pattern of behavior.
Nov 19
House Judiciary Committee begins televised impeachment hearings
Kenneth Starr testifies all day. Democrats aggressively attack Starr’s motives and methods (led by John Conyers, Barney Frank, Zoe Lofgren, etc.
Nov 27
White House releases a 184-page point-by-point rebuttal to Starr’s referral
Coordinated by White House Counsel Charles Ruff and outside lawyers David Kendall & Greg Craig.
Late Nov
House Republicans draft four articles of impeachment
Democrats on Judiciary Committee (led by John Conyers) fight every step, offer censure as alternative.

Overall Democratic Strategy in November 1998“Censure, not impeachment” became the unified Democratic alternative. A censure resolution was drafted and circulated by Tom Daschle (Senate) and Dick Gephardt (House).
Relentless messaging that impeachment was “partisan overreach” and that the election results (Republicans lost seats) proved the public wanted the issue dropped.
Coordinated attacks on Starr as obsessed, partisan, and funded by conservative groups.
Emphasis on Clinton’s high approval and the strong economy: “It’s the economy + peace and prosperity, not private mistakes.”

Notable Democratic Figures’ Positions (November 1998)Dick Gephardt: Publicly loyal but privately furious with Clinton; still led House Democrats in total opposition to impeachment.
Tom Daschle: Senate Minority Leader, coordinated with White House daily, pushed hard for censure deal.
Al Gore: Extremely visible defending Clinton, calling him “one of the greatest presidents in history” on multiple occasions.
Moderate Democrats (e.g., Joe Lieberman, Dianne Feinstein, Bob Kerrey): Had criticized Clinton’s behavior in September but by November were voting “no” on impeachment and supporting censure.

White House Daily Rhythm in NovemberMorning strategy meetings with Ruff, Kendall, Podesta, Lockhart, Begala, Carville.
Afternoon press briefings hammering the “partisan witch hunt” theme.
Evening calls to wavering Democratic House members to hold the line.

By the end of November 1998, House Republicans were locked in to moving forward with impeachment votes in December, while Democrats and the White House believed (correctly) that the Senate would never convict. The stage was fully set for the dramatic December 19 House impeachment vote.In short: November 1998 was the month Democrats went all-in on defending Clinton, turned the midterm “victory” into a mandate against impeachment, and began openly preparing for a Senate trial they were confident they would win.

https://x.com/i/grok/share/G401nkUckIeq6vk5EP1tfDgi9