Political Quotes

“In its 1974 Watergate inquiry, the House Committee on the Judiciary conducted an exhaustive examination of the constitutional history of the impeachment power. Then on a broad bipartisan basis, the committee adopted a report which eloquently states the constitutional standard for use by the House of Representatives of its impeachment power. In the committee's words, only that presidential misconduct which is seriously incompatible with either the constitutional form and principles of our government or the proper performance of the constitutional duties of the office of the presidency will justify impeachment. The facts now before the House, which arise from a personal relationship and the efforts to conceal it, simply do not meet that standard. While the President's conduct was reprehensible, it did not threaten the Nation. It did not undermine the constitutional form and principles of our government. It did not disable the proper functioning of the constitutional duties of the presidential office. These facts simply do not meet the standard. To misuse of impeachment power in this case, as some are now prepared to do, will create a national horror.”