Practical Questions in the Impeachment Equation

With impeachment proceedings increasingly likely, what follows probably will resemble a Kabuki theater more than a judicial proceeding. While everyone will pretend to scrutinize Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth Starr's referral to Congress, analyzing whether the charges constitute the "high crimes and misdemeanors" required for impeachment by the Constitution, the real drama will be different. The real question that members of Congress will agonize over is whether President Clinton can still effectively govern.

Rather than whether Clinton committed perjury, the real question will be whether he retains the confidence of the American people, Congress, his own Cabinet and world leaders. Rather than whether he obstructed justice, members will ask if Clinton can work with Republicans who have no respect for him or with Democrats who feel betrayed.

Can this, and the next, Congress work with Clinton, particularly if Republican numbers increase substantially after the election? What about congressional Democrats, who no doubt would blame Clinton not only for any losses sustained in the November general election but also for the lack of gains, even their lack of a majority in the