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Published on: 11/21/2001
Last Visited: 11/21/2001
Jerome ZeifmanHouse Judiciary Committee Counsel, During Watergate
Jan. 14 - Jerome Zeifman served as Chief Counsel of the House Judiciary Committee at the time of Watergate.He chatted live Thursday with ABCNEWS.com users.
Moderator at 2:02pm ET Author and former House Chief Counsel Jerome Zeifman is ready for your questions.
Moderator at 2:04pm ET Welcome, Mr. Zeifman.Here is one comment which represents a point of view we have been seeing in our auditorium.Comment?
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:10pm ET I respectfully disagree with you.In 1974 I served as the Chief Counsel to the House Judiciary Committee and played a significant role in bringing about the impeachment of Nixon.In my view, the present cancer on the Clinton presidency is as dangerous if not more threatening than the cancer that brought down President Nixon.In my view, the cancer that brought down Nixon began in 1959 when, without the knowledge of the Eisenhower White House, the Dept. of Justice agreed to a written memorandum which, in effect, permitted CIA operatives to commit felonies including murders in the name of national security.In contrast, the current cancer on the Clinton presidency actually began in the White House itself.
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To Mr. Zeifman.I'll make it simple.
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:11pm ET
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:12pm ET At the time of the Nixon hearing, there were a number of Republicans who, unlike the present day Democrats, were willing to put the interests of the country above the interests of their party.I myself am pro-choice.However, I would never condemn those Republicans who are pro-life.And I respect the legitimacy of their position.
Amused from kdsi.net at 2:13pm ET
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Mr. Zeifman: Were you ever a prosecutor?Would you ever have prosecuted such a flimsy "perjury" case?
Jerome Zeifman at 2:14pm ET No, I have never been a prosecutor, although I was a strong advocate of the impeachment of President Nixon.
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:16pm ET Again, I disagree.I believe that the real issue before the American people is not between conservatism and liberalism.I am a lifelong liberal Democrat dating back to World War II.The real issue is whether a majority of Americans still have faith in the rule of law.
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Mr. Zeifman, How would you contrast the roles played by Leon Jaworksi, Archibald Cox and Kenneth Starr?
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:18pm ET
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Mr. Zeifman: Why can't the Senate let Clinton off and let him and the OIC face off in the courts after Clinton leaves office?
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:20pm ET First, I think that would be an abdication of the Senate's constitutional responsibility.
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Mr. Zeifman: Will the Senate act responsibly and convict?
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:21pm ET
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Mr. Zeifman: Can you give us a clear explanation of how the Whitewater investigation could legitimately lead us to Monica Lewinsky?
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:23pm ET
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Mr. Zeifman: What was the mood of the nation during this time in Nixon's administration?Did we have many citizens pulling for Nixon or saying "Let's just move on and get it over with"?
Jerome Zeifman at 2:25pm ET I think it was quite different.At that time, the mainstream media, (the Washington Post, the New York Times) the ACLU and the AFLCIO were demanding President Nixon's impeachment.
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:28pm ET First, I have not given up hope.I believe that there are Democrats who will have the moral integrity to vote to convict.I'm also hopeful that whatever the outcome, a majority of Americans have had enough of the hypocrisy and the hate mongering which is characterizing the Democratic Party of which I am still a member.
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Mr. Zeifman: How can you equate "lying" about something the Grand Jury had no right to ask (about consensual sex between two consenting adults) and the shredding of the Constitution by former Pres. Nixon?Or are you one of those people who really believe the Grand Jury can ask anything and demand an answer?
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:30pm ET
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:33pm ET Yes, I agree with that observation.Again, I'm a lifelong Democrat.
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:35pm ET I guess each of us is free to decide for himself or herself how to preserve the precious jewel of their own soul.It is my view that the Democratic Party, of which I am still a member, is losing its soul for political purposes.
fred from degussa.com at 2:35pm ET Mr. Z: Do you foresee the "Republican backlash" that everyone is saying will happen in the next election as a result of the House's impeachment and Senate trial?
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:37pm ET I don't believe everyone is saying that.
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Mr. Zeifman: Will you give a response to the White House and Democratic statement that they must get back to "the people's business."Am I wrong, or is protecting the integrity of oaths and our laws not "the people's business"?
Jerome Zeifman at 2:38pm ET Yes, I agree.You are right.The constitution itself has made the integrity of the oath and the moral authority of the presidency the first order of the people's business.
Mert from d.srv.t-online.de at 2:38pm ET I believe that a president should be measured by his works and not his private life.
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:41pm ET I would not want to characterize most of my fellow Democrats as "mean-spirited."I believe that they are misguided and that they should be forgiven, for they know not what they do.
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:43pm ET I am hopeful that the Democratic Party will shed itself of corrupt Clintonism and run an acceptable candidate whom I can support.
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:44pm ET I think that option is always open to him.However, I fear that both he and his supporters in the Senate are closing their minds to that option.
Mr. Why from [192.77.198.200], at 2:44pm ET Mr. Zeifman,One thing that bothers me is that why two-thirds of Americans would like this president to stay in office.Could please give us a clear analysis without any reservation?
Jerome Zeifman at 2:45pm ET I'm afraid I can't.I don't fully understand it myself.And I'm doubtful as to the accuracy of the polls.
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:47pm ET The Bill of Attainder is a form of ex-post-facto punishment.
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:49pm ET That is a very profound question.I was personally opposed to the Independent Counsel statute and feel that it now needs re-evaluation and further public debate.
C.W from Luxembourg Europe from crpht.lu at 2:49pm ET You Americans are indeed behaving like children.The President should continue governing the U.S. and act as a peacekeeper for the world.
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:52pm ET I spent a number of years myself in Europe.I feel that the person from Luxembourg is ill-informed and does not understand the true nature the American democracy ... and I know no president of any European country who has lied under oath in a criminal proceeding.I do not think that those of us who want our children to be moral should be regarded by our friends in Europe as naive or childish.
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Jerome Zeifman at 2:54pm ET Sadly, I think that you have been unduly influenced by the Clinton White House spin.If Mr. Starr has in fact abused his authority, the appropriate forum in which he should be tried is before Judge Norma Johnson, a black woman jurist who was appointed by President Carter.
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Mr. Zeifman, thank you for your time.
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