Word: congressman
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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CALLING GRACE METALIOUS Howard Baker asked the question at the heart of Watergate--"What did the President know, and when did he know it?"--and the question at the heart of Monicagate was posed by South Carolina Congressman Lindsey Graham, who last week wondered, "Is this Watergate or Peyton Place?" Let's look at some characteristics of Monicagate and see whether they are present in these other dramas...
...congressional race taking place in a rural district, the challenger just might dredge up one of the incumbent's high school classmates who, still embittered by some perceived slight in 11th grade, is willing to go to the local newspaper with an unflattering portrait of what the now august Congressman was like at 17: "Why, we used to say he would have shown up at the junior prom with a sheep if he'd been able to find one that could do the twist...
Depending on the circumstances, a consultant might suggest that the Congressman try to undermine the credentials of the snitch ("The man can't tell a sheep from a goat!") or simply stonewall on the theory that even in the Kenneth Starr era, there is enough prosecutorial discretion left to make the subpoenaing of a sheep highly unlikely...
...what's the fallback position? Youthful indiscretion may fairly describe the Congressman's encounter, but wouldn't it also be fairly described as an inappropriate relationship? Either way, we intend to deplore its revelation, at length and in detail...
...early December 1998. In the stuffy, overcrowded chamber of the House Judiciary Committee, his forehead shiny under the television lights, Congressman X prepares to question the witness, a young woman with dark hair, full lips, surprising poise and a team of exceptionally well-dressed lawyers. "Miss Lewinsky," the lawmaker begins solemnly, "I know this must be very difficult for you, but we have before us a very serious matter." The witness offers a weak smile, triggering a blizzard of clicks from the motor-driven shutters of 30 cameras. The Congressman awkwardly clears his throat and plunges forward. "Miss Lewinsky...