Greg Ganske: “my vote on the impeachment of President Clinton will be the most important of my public service. The proposed…”

“my vote on the impeachment of President Clinton will be the most important of my public service. The proposed impeachment of a president has occurred only twice before in our nation's history and I consider this of gravest Constitutional importance. I have made my decision only after a great deal of study, listening to the advice of my fellow citizens, and much soul searching. Why am I releasing this statement before the Judiciary Committee votes on articles of impeachment? Because for all practical purposes the relevant information is in. The President has provided responses to the committee and his lawyer had his chance to challenge the facts of the case. My constituents deserve to know where I stand on impeachment . . . whether a vote by the House occurs or not. This whole affair deeply saddens me. President Clinton is a man of personal charm, intellect, and empathy. I, possibly more than any other House Republican, have worked in a bipartisan manner with President Clinton. The President has shown special consideration for me on several occasions and that makes my decision doubly difficult. I hold no personal enmity toward the President, quite the contrary. When I called on the President to resign after his scandal became public but before the sordid details came out, I did so out of concern for what the country was likely to go through. I did so also out of concern for what would be best for President Clinton and his family . . .”