LYING AGAIN
President Clinton's curiously emotionless White House statement late Friday afternoon won't help his cause. Not only was it ineffective, but poorly timed. Speculation had focused on the possibility of Clinton making a dramatic plea on the eve of the House impeachment vote next Thursday. Now he can't do that. He just forfeited what might have been his ace in the hole.

In the statement, he apologized (again) for misleading his family, friends, colleagues, and the American people. But he naturally didn't apologize for misleading the courts, and he never admitted to lying or perjuring himself. In fact, he lied again when he explained his conduct by saying he had given in to shame.

And that's the nut of the case: President Clinton is a shameless liar.

INCOMMUNICADO
Where are the GOP messengers? As the House debates impeachment, only a single Republican--Majority Whip Tom DeLay--is taking to the airwaves urging members to do the right thing. Rep. J. C. Watts (R., Okla.), the incoming communications chief for House Republicans, has been missing in action. Rep. Jennifer Dunn (R., Wash.) and Rep. Steve Largent (R., Okla.) challenged Majority Leader Dick Armey last month in leadership elections, basing their candidacies almost entirely on their wonderful media skills. Seen them on TV lately?

CENSURE PLUS
Maybe we could make him spend a week with Bob Barr?