Isle impeachment
fallout uncertain

Some say they'll never
again vote GOP, others
castigate Democrats

By Mike Yuen
Star-Bulletin

The legal lessons are clear, but it remains murky as to whether the fallout from the impeachment of President Clinton -- acquitted of perjury and obstruction of justice -- will have any effect on isle elections next year.

That, in a nutshell, is the assessment of one of Hawaii's leading constitutional law scholars, and the leaders of the Hawaii Democratic and Republican parties.

For Jon Van Dyke, University of Hawaii professor of law, there are two important lessons to be drawn from Clinton's impeachment: He should never have been impeached in the highly partisan approach used by House Republicans, and impeachment should not be used when it involves matters, such as a tawdry affair with a former White House intern, that don't go to "the essence of running our government."

Walter Heen, chairman of the Hawaii Democratic Party, doesn't see the impeachment saga surrounding fellow Democrat Clinton as having any implications for the isles' 2000 elections.

"I don't, really," Heen said. "I'm basing it on our feeling as to what is happening in the community.

"Some people have been calling, just castigating Democrats for hanging on to this sinner, this liar, and saying they'll never vote Democratic again. Others, some of whom are Republican, said they didn't like the obvious partisanship of Republicans (in the House) pushing impeachment and that they'll never vote Republican again. I was ready to give them (Democratic) party cards.

"So it is a wash. I do not feel it will have impact."

Heen said if Clinton is able to maintain his high job approval ratings in public opinion polls, he might end up being a good campaigner for Democratic candidates across the nation.

Donna Alcantara, state Republican Party chairwoman, said Hawaii's all-Democratic congressional delegation "made it clear they supported this president."

"They defended him. (Sens. Daniel Inouye and Daniel Akaka) voted to acquit him, thereby they're saying they evidently approve of what he's done," she said. "The Democrats who voted for acquittal have to go back to their constituents, who will decide whether that vote was a good decision or not."

Akaka and Reps. Neil Abercrombie and Patsy Mink are up for re-election next year.

Alcantara also gave credence to a New York Times story, published Thursday in the Star-Bulletin, that quoted Clinton advisers as saying he is so enraged with House Republicans for his impeachment "that he has vowed to mount an all-out offensive to knock off many of his foes and win back the House for Democrats in 2000."

Van Dyke said the impeachment of Clinton stands in stark contrast to the move 25 years ago to impeach then-President Richard Nixon. The move against Nixon, a Republican who resigned once it became clear that he would be impeached and convicted, was bipartisan, Van Dyke said.

Nixon was accused of grave abuses of government agencies, of breaking into people's offices -- all part of a massive conspiracy to cover up and prevent the American people from learning of these criminal actions, Van Dyke said.

"In contrast, Clinton was accused of a personal failing. It was never established that he in any way hurt the nation in terms of national standing," Van Dyke said.

Van Dyke also noted that the perjury charge against Clinton pertained to a "specific legal concept, actual falsehood stated intentionally."

House Republicans were not even able to convince all of their counterparts in the Senate that Clinton perjured himself, Van Dyke said.

Van Dyke added that Clinton taught constitutional law at the University of Arkansas in the 1970s.

"He was careful not to say anything explicitly false. He gave incomplete and misleading answers, but he did not give false statements," Van Dyke said.

Readers speak out

Comments the Star-Bulletin received in response to the question, What do you think of the Senate's decision to acquit President Clinton?

Eli Kawai, Kakaako This past 13 months has been a very sad time for our nation. To end as it did on the birthday of the 16th and first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, who was succeeded upon his death by the only other impeached but acquitted president, seems somewhat eerie and unreal."

Wallace Tatsuma, Pearl City "It's a good thing they voted no. . . . This group acted like we should give these people a job description. If we're going to get into the private lives and things, more than half of the politicians and appointed judges would be out of a job, so wake up America."

Jay Bauckham, Manoa"It is wrong, period. Slick Willie is the premier example of the 1960s postmodern relativism -- truth is relative (Hawaii state government, take note). Cheating or lying is OK, whether it is by a president, a Naval Academy cadet or a National Merit scholar candidate. If America is to remain the world's best country, parents of all ages must instill a sense of high ethics and morality in their children. Without this parental concern, the United States of America will drift into Third World status."

Dolly Strazar, Moiliili-McCully"I think the acquittal is great. It's something that should have happened a long time ago, and now the government can get back to doing the business that it's set up to do, and that is governing."

Denise Perry, Makiki"I'm 62 years old and have voted since I was legally able to. I think the Senate conclusion to the impeachment trial is sad. I am sorry that I am even an American. I'm ashamed. I will never vote again. The president was wrong, and he should pay for his wrongdoing. Anybody else would have to."

Albert Carr, Aina Haina"The Senate did the right thing in their vote. I think it's unfortunate that it had to come to a vote. I think it was a Republican vendetta that went astray and backfired on them."

Richard Womelsdorf, Kaneohe"This is a total miscarriage of justice that they have released or found Clinton not guilty. If they found him not guilty, then I think they ought to release all the people in the jails at the present time that are in jail for perjury."

Stephen Curty, Waikiki"I applaud the decision. This trial was a farce. It was a sham. The Republicans -- I will never, ever, ever vote Republican again. I am irritated with them. They've done nothing for the country. Bill Clinton -- I think that he . . . lied a little bit; he stretched the truth -- whatever. His crimes were not impeachable. I think that the Republicans are the biggest hypocrites on the block."

Brian Molina, Mililani "I just cannot believe that he was acquitted. I think he did lie. On top of that, I will never vote again. I am utterly disappointed. I will not participate in any political process anymore because I don't believe in politicians anymore. They're all liars and they confirm that.

William Lawrence, Waikiki"The vote in the Senate just proves to me more that the Democrats will vote for their party in preference to the truth or for the betterment of the people. That thing disgusts me. Our two senators are always voting with the Democratic Party, not for the betterment of the people."

Jeannine Napuunoa, Salt Lake"I'm not surprised that Clinton was acquitted. . . . I think the majority of the people in this country have changed morally and spiritually, and the man does not have character, and people don't seem to think that's important anymore."

Dolly La Joie, Makiki "I'm so glad President Clinton got acquitted. I don't agree with what he did, but anyone who was trapped like he was, the first instinct would be to lie to protect his family."

Esther Williams, Wahiawa"The Senate wimped out. The Senate should be expected to vote their conscience, not the polls."

Roger Piwowarski, Waikiki"I believe the decision is correct, and I thank the Lord that he was let go from what he had to do 'cause ... nobody is sinless in this world, and I appreciate the president, what he's done for us and our country."

Joan Michaels, Makiki"I am infuriated over this decision. I will not vote for our two senators or for (Rep. Neil) Abercrombie. I will do everything I can to get them all out of office. It is unbelievable that the president can lie under oath and get away with it."