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Peachy Impeachment

1.  After the impeachment process, how did Clinton's relationship with the public and his party change?

The president's affair was at first denounced by his own party; 31 Democrats even supported opening an impeachment inquiry. However, Clinton ended up surviving the process, with high public approval ratings and the support of almost his entire party.

2. What are differences between the investigations that led to the Clinton impeachment and the potential Trump impeachment?

Clinton's impeachment case relied on the report of Kenneth Starr, an independent counsel. On the other hand, Trump's case is not based on the Muller report, but instead is being built by the minute as Democrats continue to investigate.

3. What trends in public opinion about impeachment occurred in the lead up to the formal announcement of impeachment by the House against President Clinton?

After the release of Starr's report, public support for impeachment increased. However, by the time the House voted to impeach Clinton, it had stagnated at 40%. Also, Clinton's overall approval ratings hit an all time high leading up to impeachment.

4. What was the effect of the impeachment on the 1998 midterm elections for the Republicans?

The Republicans tried to use Clinton's tarnished reputation to gain more seats in the midterms. This was because, unlike the trend for Americans as a whole, Republican voters did increasingly support impeachment leading up to the vote. However, this backfired, as Republicans lost seats and Gingrich, the Republican speaker, resigned the speakership.

5. How did Democrats vote about the impeachment inquiry compared to how they voted to actually impeach President Clinton?

31 moderate Democrats voted to open an impeachment inquiry. On the other hand, only 5 Democrats actually voted to impeach him.

6. How many Republicans in the Senate voted in support of President Clinton?

10 Republicans voted in support of Clinton.

7.  What lessons about the 1998 impeachment might Democrats consider when deciding whether or not to impeach President Trump?

The Democrats must consider how Starr's investigation alongside the following impeachment inquiry were seen as politically motivated. As no Republicans have come to support their current investigation, it is likely also seen as partisan, and thus it may fail just like the 1998 trial.

8. How are the investigations in the Clinton and Trump impeachments different?

Republicans in 1998 relied only on the Starr investigation, which was seen as politically motivated and as just an excuse to try for impeachment. On the other hand, Democrats did not involve the Mueller report, only basing their investigation on the new Ukraine scandal and the currently evolving findings. Thus, their efforts may not be seen as purely an attempt to find any reason for impeachment.

9. How are the issues involved in the Clinton and Trump impeachments different?

Many Americans would admit that they would lie about having an affair, thus making Clinton's situation somewhat more relatable. On the other hand, Trump's issue is effectively extorting other nations for personal political gain, something average Americans would not empathize with.


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