Rick Lazio: “I think that nearly all that could be said has been. Across party lines we stand shoulder to shoulder with the…”

“I think that nearly all that could be said has been. Across party lines we stand shoulder to shoulder with the principles and the values that brought us here. This should be neither personal nor a partisan decision. Its difficulty lies in the rare, but important, conflict between what is expedient and short term and what resonates as a guiding principle for all time. It is not about the fate of one man, but the value of truth itself, the principle that no man, no matter how rich or how powerful, is above the law. It is about the notion of accountability. It is about the values of duty, honor, trust and sacrifice. When I was a Suffolk County prosecutor, my entire duty was based on the integrity and the conduct of the men and women who took an oath to tell the truth. In many cases, it was difficult for these people to testify honestly, sometimes even disastrous. But when they were sworn in, they understood that this was different, that here the truth was required; that upon their respect for their oath would ride many things, including justice, our government of laws, equality of one citizen with another, and not the least their own honor. These were ordinary people, Mr. Speaker. They understood. In many cases, they sacrificed. In many cases, they suffered. But they told the truth. If an anonymous citizen can abide by his oath, what about a President? When a President fails in his duty as an ordinary citizen does not, the failure is catastrophic.”