Inside Impeachment—Diary of a Congressman
Lessons Learned
by
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December 19, 1998, was a cold winter Saturday in Washington. Outside the US Capitol, crowds had gathered on both sides to argue over President Clinton’s impeachment as the US House of Representatives voted on the four articles of impeachment against him.
Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich had named Ray LaHood from Illinois to preside over the proceedings.
Between speeches on the House Floor, Congressman Collin Peterson approached me on the House Floor. I knew Collin well. He is a sort of John Wayne kind of guy, who smoked a lot, and had a suave, down-to-earth personality and a weathered face that women loved. He was a conservative Democrat who owned a small plane and flew around his Minnesota district because it was so vast. He was divorced and had his own band and played country western songs on his guitar.
We had traveled often together during congressional delegations, or “CODELs” as we commonly called them. When we were in Washington, we were frequently in the House gym together.
I liked him very much. As I was making my way to the Republican cloakroom, he was moving with a purpose—clearly with something on his mind.
“How are you going to vote?”
"Are you kidding me?” I said, genuinely surprised. “I’m going to vote for all four articles...what about you?"
Collin leaned into me and said, "I don't think I’ll be voting for any of them."
I shook my head. "You gotta be crazy,” I said. “It’s an established fact that Clinton lied, and this episode is just the tip of the bucket with this guy....” I paused and did a doubletake. “So, you don’t think he had this affair?
"Yes,” he answered matter-of-factly. “He had the affair.”
“So what?” I asked. “You don’t believe he’s lying about it?"
Collin nodded. “Yes, I think he is lying.” He paused for a moment, as if considering his response, and then waved out at the chamber. “But let me tell you something...everybody in this place is having an affair."
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About the Book
This diary provides an inside look at what many members of Congress privately think about impeachment from both a Republican and Democrat perspective and the huge burden of proof required to impeach a sitting President. A key point, yet so often ignored by both authors and commentators, is the extraordinary burden of proof for “high crimes and misdemeanors” that must be met to make a presidential impeachment even remotely possible.
While the previous media commentors and book authors convey a cursory understanding of impeachment, they only scratch the surface of a much deeper issue, and that often leaves listeners with more questions than answers. This book will fill that void. Also, this account will be of immense use to current U.S. senators and representatives, and of great interest to historians and enthusiasts of political process. More than anything, however, this diary it will be appealing to a broad popular audience. While readers may not agree with some of the political stance on issues, the record of conversations and events will be valuable to all, regardless of partisan ideology.
Perhaps the most important points from this book will be the lessons learned from the impeachment process. Every American should read this valuable book to understand how our constitution works.
“Having served in Congress during the Impeachment of President Clinton, I find the diary of the impeachment process by Rep. Stearns fascinating and clearly an insider’s view from both sides of the political aisle.
—Congressman Tim Petri
“From a historical standpoint, this new book by Mr. Stearns on the impeachment process is a welcome addition to better understanding how the process in the House of Representatives really works. It also will provide insight if another impeachment is begun.”
—Andy Glass, Contributing Editor, Politico,
“As a Member of Congress who actually took part in the debate on Bill Clinton’s 1998–99 impeachment, Cliff Stearns vividly brings to life what was then only the second impeachment of a president in the history of the US. The entire process, its equivalent to an indictment by a grand jury, and the serious and highly personal exchanges of the House Members are much-needed guidelines to understand why impeachment did come up again and will in the future.”
—John Gizzi, Senior White House Correspondent, Newsmax
About the Author
Cliff Stearns is an Executive Director based in APCO Worldwide’s Washington, DC, office and serves as a member of APCO’s International Advisory Council. He is a former Member of Congress for Florida’s 3rd District, where he gained extensive experience in telecommunications, technology, cyber-security, and international trade during his twenty-four years of service. He recently was president of the United States Association of Former Members of Congress, whose membership includes more than 500 former Senators and Congressmen.
While in Congress, his various pieces of legislation were signed by four presidents, including the “Do Not Call List” to prevent nuisance phone calls, the Millennium Healthcare for Veterans, the placing of defibrillators in public sectors, and the return to the State of Florida 87,000 acres of federal land that established a greenbelt across Florida from Jacksonville to the Gulf Coast.
Congressman Stearns was also a business owner of motels and restaurants before being elected to Congress. He is a graduate of the George Washington University with a degree in electrical engineering. He was a Captain in the United States Air Force and served four years as an aerospace project engineer providing satellite reconnaissance of Vietnam. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for distinguished service and meritorious achievement and later, as a congressman, received the Air Force Association W. Stuart Symington Award, the highest honor presented to a civilian in the field of national security.
Mr. Stearns lives in Ocala, Florida, with his wife, Joan. They have three grown sons.