President Clinton Resigns Over Lewinsky Affair - October 1998

[George]

Clinton Resigns in October 1998 - President Gore

The scandal in the Clinton Administration over his relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky reached its most serious moment with the release of the Starr Report in September 1998. The POD would have been some very damaging additional revelation in the wake of the Starr Report, like hard evidence of witness tampering.

Then President Clinton may have been forced to resign his office in Oct/ Nov 1998 and Al Gore would have become President of the United States. Alternatively, Clinton may have remained in office through his impeachment by the Congress and been removed by the Senate in 1999. But the outcome would have been same if he had resigned.

[Max Sinister]

I still think it's ridicilous for which reason he'd have to resign, but it could help Al Gore to win the election of 2000, being the incumbent.

[Ghost 88]

I still think it's ridicilous for which reason he'd have to resign, but it could help Al Gore to win the election of 2000, being the incumbent.
People Bill Clinton was not impeached over a blow-job.He was impeached for lying about it under oath in a court of law. So even though it was politically motivated it did fall under "high-crimes and midemenors". So if he resigned it would have been for the crime of perjury. On the other hand adultry is also a crime,so I guess he could have been impeached for the blow job. Please note the whole affair was a waste of time,there were more important things for congress to waste our money on. OBWI poloticians were paid what they're worth______ nothing.
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D :D

[The Sandman]

If turnabout is fair play, then suddenly at least half of the politicians in this country have a sudden attack of conscience and follow suit. You can't expect me to believe that Clinton was somehow the only politician in US history to have been blown by an intern.

[Grimm Reaper]

Al Gore currently in his second full term of office!:)

[Ghost 88]

Al Gore currently in his second full term of office!:)
Having grown up in Tennessee while Al Jr's father was Senator, this would be a nightmare there is a reason he
didn't win his own state. On the bright side two years as Prez. would be all that was needed for him to lose as bad as Mondale.

[Evil Opus]

This would have hurt Al Gore's, and the Democratic Party's, chances of winnning anything in the 2000 election. Nixon's resignation didn't help Ford. We'd see an unchallenged Bush victory in 2000, and a more Republican USA overall. Kerry still loses in 2004 by the same margin. Hillary Clinton loses her senate race and disappears from the public eye. We probably see Rudolph Giuliani beat John Kerry in 2008.

[MarkWhittington]

One would have to suppose a sudden drop in Clinton's popularity, which did not happen in OTL. Maybe the Juanita Broadrick incident becomes more widely known earlier or perhaps Ms. Lewinski turns out to be a foreign agent (rumor has it that the Mossad had the Presidential phone tapped and had recordings of Bill and Monica's phone sex. What fuin if it turned out she was an Israeli honey trap.)

So Al Gore becomes President in late 98. The conventional wisdom has it that he wins in 2000 easily. But the conventional wisdom does not take into account Al Gore's capacity to screw up. Let's say that he tries to push a draconian carbon tax through (as an environmental hysteric, he is capable of it.) Coupled with a good campaign finance scandal (Buddahist Temple anyone?), Al Gore becomes Citizen Gore after 2000.

[Wendell]

One would have to suppose a sudden drop in Clinton's popularity, which did not happen in OTL. Maybe the Juanita Broadrick incident becomes more widely known earlier or perhaps Ms. Lewinski turns out to be a foreign agent (rumor has it that the Mossad had the Presidential phone tapped and had recordings of Bill and Monica's phone sex. What fuin if it turned out she was an Israeli honey trap.)

So Al Gore becomes President in late 98. The conventional wisdom has it that he wins in 2000 easily. But the conventional wisdom does not take into account Al Gore's capacity to screw up. Let's say that he tries to push a draconian carbon tax through (as an environmental hysteric, he is capable of it.) Coupled with a good campaign finance scandal (Buddahist Temple anyone?), Al Gore becomes Citizen Gore after 2000.
The big question here is who the GOP will run in 2000.

Additionally, Clinton might try to push his resignation to January 21, 1999.

[Fenwick]

This would have hurt Al Gore's, and the Democratic Party's, chances of winnning anything in the 2000 election. Nixon's resignation didn't help Ford. We'd see an unchallenged Bush victory in 2000, and a more Republican USA overall. Kerry still loses in 2004 by the same margin. Hillary Clinton loses her senate race and disappears from the public eye. We probably see Rudolph Giuliani beat John Kerry in 2008.

Ford lost because he pardoned Nixon, instead of going through with criminal charges. In fact Ford for the most part did a good job of cleaning up the image of the White House.

I doubt Clinton would resign.

Yes he was impeached but the Senate acquitted him. With the Democrates in control of the Senate it is doubtful they would get rid of him.

So maybe make more Republicans in the Senate and Clinton would resign instead of going through yet another trial of angry Republicans grilling him on how immoral and abusive of his power.

[Wendell]

Ford lost because he pardoned Nixon, instead of going through with criminal charges. In fact Ford for the most part did a good job of cleaning up the image of the White House.

I doubt Clinton would resign.

Yes he was impeached but the Senate acquitted him. With the Democrates in control of the Senate it is doubtful they would get rid of him.

So maybe make more Republicans in the Senate and Clinton would resign instead of going through yet another trial of angry Republicans grilling him on how immoral and abusive of his power.
The GOP controlled the Senate in 1999...

[Fenwick]

The GOP controlled the Senate in 1999...

Okay it was 55-45 split in the house. And you need 2/3's to convict so it still the same arguement. In fact the 1998 elections did not see much of a change, because many voters did not connect with the Republican message of how immoral the President was.

[Wendell]

Okay it was 55-45 split in the house. And you need 2/3's to convict so it still the same arguement. In fact the 1998 elections did not see much of a change, because many voters did not connect with the Republican message of how immoral the President was.
True, but the Democrats did not have a majority, they just had a big enough minority to block the effort.

[Fenwick]

True, but the Democrats did not have a majority, they just had a big enough minority to block the effort.

Right. And the only time to get a new Senate is the same time you get a new President, so the blocking move is enough to ensure Clinton does not have to be kicked out.

[Wendell]

Right. And the only time to get a new Senate is the same time you get a new President, so the blocking move is enough to ensure Clinton does not have to be kicked out.
1/3 of the Senate is up for election every 6 years in 2 year intervals......

[Fenwick]

1/3 of the Senate is up for election every 6 years in 2 year intervals......

So an election in 1998, would mean another election in 2000.

[Wendell]

So an election in 1998, would mean another election in 2000.
Coreect, but not for the same senators.

[Fenwick]

Coreect, but not for the same senators.

Right but by 2000 Clintons out.

[Wendell]

Right but by 2000 Clintons out.
So?:confused: In OTL, Clinton was President until January 20, 2001.

[Derek Jackson]

It would make more sense (assuming he wanted a Democrat wins in future elections) for Clinton to resign one minute after noon on January 20 1999. That would allow Gore to run in 00 and if elected in 04. Under the 22nd Amendment if A President Gore had been elected in 2000 having served since 1998 he would have been term limited.

By the way assuming that Clinton wanted to help his party and said the right things I think with cleverness the reaction to the way Republicans played this might have helped Democrats and they could well have gained more seats in both Houses in 98.

Republicans had wholly misjudged the mood. I think that Democrats did not use the issue as much as they might because they had misjudged the mood too.

[Max Sinister]

Let's say that he tries to push a draconian carbon tax through (as an environmental hysteric, he is capable of it.)

"environmental hysteric"? If you had talked that way about PETA, I wouldn't have said anything, but so I have to conclude you're simply biased.

[Blaine Hess]

One would have to suppose a sudden drop in Clinton's popularity, which did not happen in OTL.

Agree with you there. Nixon's impeachment proceedings were held during a time of economic woes which harmed popularity which made him vulnerable. I think if the economy started to slide downhill earlier would help. Throw in a couple Enron/Worldcom corporate scandals too. That would make the temperature right!

[JLCook]

Al Gore currently in his second full term of office!:)


Algor would have been in the Whitehouse on 9/11/2001 when the fourth hijacked aircraft, a 747, would have plowed into the oval office while he was in some sort of conference with an intern.

Remember. Algor's Vice President doesn't seem the type to go for that sort of "conference" with an intern, so he'd most likely have survived the attacks due to sheer accident (the Capital Building was successfully evacuated AFTER the WTC, Pentagon and WHitehouse were all hit.)

The Republicans would NOT be currantly protesting the harsh, vengeance based military actions taken by the incumbent Democrats against Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Afghanistan, and Libya!

[Derek Jackson]

Nixon's impeachment proceedings were held during a time of economic woes which harmed popularity which made him vulnerable. I think if the economy started to slide downhill earlier would help. Throw in a couple Enron/Worldcom corporate scandals too. That would make the temperature right!

There is overwhelming evidence that Nixon did all he could to abuse his power to prevent investigation of criminal acts.

Clinton did not tell the truth in the course of a Civil action. His lies related to consensual sexual acts, when the allegation against him was that he sexually harrassed another woman.

There was never a question but that Lewinsky was a willing partner- and those working for Paula Jones surely knew that.

[Wendell]

Would Gore have taken the same VP in 2000?

Gore-Condit 2000, anyone?:eek:

[Derek Jackson]

Would Gore have taken the same VP in 2000?

Gore-Condit 2000, anyone?:eek:

He would have had to appoint a VP in 98 or 99.

[NapoleonXIV]

I'm not sure of what Witness tampering Clinton could be accused of but I am pretty sure the general public wouldn't understand its "seriousness" anymore than they understood anything else about the case.

So the only reason I can see for Clinton resigning is the fact that the Witness tampering business is also seen as giving the Republicans the final excuse they need to get enough votes for impeachment.

The upshot is that Clinton is seen as a martyr, and the Republicans are discredited for what the public perceives as a partisan vendetta to overturn their decision in the election of 96.

The Republicans are swept from office, and the Dems gain a 2/3 majority in the Senate and almost 5/8 in the House. Even in OTL they lost badly enough that their speaker not only resigned but left politics.

Al Gore, rumored to be using Clinton as an Eminence Grise, has a very successful two years. He passes a National Health Care Act and, incidentally, a bill which would have dried up al-Qaeda's money, and which was blocked in OTL by Phil Gramm

Thus, there is no 9/11 in Gore's first term.

By 2008 the the GOP is defunct. An odd coalition of Libertarians, Greens and a strange crew which call themselves Christian Rightists vies for what small influence they still retain as mainly comic relief.

[Ghost 88]

I'm not sure of what Witness tampering Clinton could be accused of but I am pretty sure the general public wouldn't understand its "seriousness" anymore than they understood anything else about the case.

So the only reason I can see for Clinton resigning is the fact that the Witness tampering business is also seen as giving the Republicans the final excuse they need to get enough votes for impeachment.

The upshot is that Clinton is seen as a martyr, and the Republicans are discredited for what the public perceives as a partisan vendetta to overturn their decision in the election of 96.

The Republicans are swept from office, and the Dems gain a 2/3 majority in the Senate and almost 5/8 in the House. Even in OTL they lost badly enough that their speaker not only resigned but left politics.

Al Gore, rumored to be using Clinton as an Eminence Grise, has a very successful two years. He passes a National Health Care Act and, incidentally, a bill which would have dried up al-Qaeda's money, and which was blocked in OTL by Phil Gramm

Thus, there is no 9/11 in Gore's first term.

By 2008 the the GOP is defunct. An odd coalition of Libertarians, Greens and a strange crew which call themselves Christian Rightists vies for what small influence they still retain as mainly comic relief.
The Republicans did have enough votes for impeachment.They didn't have the votes for conviction.
so the House did have enough votes for impeachment,he was impeached, he did not resign,Gore did not become the President, the Republicans did not lose the House,They lost the Senate for two years because a Senator elected as a Republican changed to Independant,and sided with the Dems. This was in 2000
In 2002 the Reps won back the Senate and still hold both
houses today. Because of where the two parties have thier strenghts is extremely un likely that either party can get even 60% of either house.Only if ASB mind control a parties core voters in to switching sides or changing to a third party is either of the two main US parties going to disappear. The Democratic Party is the weaker at this time because they are precieved by the swing voters as not standing for anything. The swing voters are the 20% or so that all the parties go after at election time. OBTW
Bill Clinton was charged with Perjury not Jury tampering.

[Max Sinister]

Al Gore, rumored to be using Clinton as an Eminence Grise, has a very successful two years. He passes a National Health Care Act and, incidentally, a bill which would have dried up al-Qaeda's money, and which was blocked in OTL by Phil Gramm

Very interesting to know.

[Blaine Hess]

There is overwhelming evidence that Nixon did all he could to abuse his power to prevent investigation of criminal acts.

Clinton did not tell the truth in the course of a Civil action. His lies related to consensual sexual acts, when the allegation against him was that he sexually harrassed another woman.

There was never a question but that Lewinsky was a willing partner- and those working for Paula Jones surely knew that.

Look, think what you want about Clinton. But the fact is, if the public is in a foul mood at the time hes going to be history.

[NapoleonXIV]

Look, think what you want about Clinton. But the fact is, if the public is in a foul mood at the time hes going to be history.

...uhmmm...I disagree. The American populace may be moody but they are particularly adverse to having their decisions overthrown.

If they were likely to throw out a bad performer for a few mistakes then the present occupant would have lost in 2004. There are the proverbs having to do with the devil we know and changing horses in mid stream

You forget that Clinton presided over one of the most prosperous periods of the stock market ever known, the dotcoms were going full blast in 1998 with all their concomitant effects on the economy. Most people are not going to do anything percieved to jeopardize that, particularly not for something they would have done themselves.

[Blaine Hess]

You forget that Clinton presided over one of the most prosperous periods of the stock market ever known, the dotcoms were going full blast in 1998 with all their concomitant effects on the economy. Most people are not going to do anything percieved to jeopardize that, particularly not for something they would have done themselves.

I understand. But my point was if the economy was in bad shape during the impeachment hed be in serious trouble. Especially since a good chunk of his votes likely came from people hoping for an improved economy. Or at least as good as the 1992-1996 time period.

[NapoleonXIV]

The Republicans did have enough votes for impeachment.They didn't have the votes for conviction.
so the House did have enough votes for impeachment,he was impeached, he did not resign,Gore did not become the President, the Republicans did not lose the House,They lost the Senate for two years because a Senator elected as a Republican changed to Independant,and sided with the Dems. This was in 2000
In 2002 the Reps won back the Senate and still hold both
houses today. Because of where the two parties have thier strenghts is extremely un likely that either party can get even 60% of either house.Only if ASB mind control a parties core voters in to switching sides or changing to a third party is either of the two main US parties going to disappear. The Democratic Party is the weaker at this time because they are precieved by the swing voters as not standing for anything. The swing voters are the 20% or so that all the parties go after at election time. OBTW
Bill Clinton was charged with Perjury not Jury tampering.

True and true, but this is for ALTERNATE history scenarios:D

The worst thing a political party can do is to be perceived as having turned on the country. This happened to the Federalists, who were perceived as having been pro-Brit or secession in the war of 1812. They ceased to exist, and for the next several years we had one party rule, or the "era of good feeling" in American politics.

This might very well have happened to the Reps if Clinton had resigned in 1998. They would have been seen as having overturned an election for purely partisan reasons(maybe the Dems would help that feeling along a little).

The actual election of 1996 was a debacle, overturning majorities the Republicans had just won after 40 years. It indicated very clearly that the public regarded the impeachment as a partisan vendetta without merit, whatever the facts of the matter actually were or not.

[Wendell]

He would have had to appoint a VP in 98 or 99.
And it could still be Gary Condit.