UPPING THE ANTE
The House will vote to impeach President Clinton on Saturday--that became a foregone conclusion earlier this week when enough wavering GOP moderates made up their minds. Democrats nevertheless are complaining that this "lame-duck Congress" is taking such drastic action, considering the results of last month's elections. And so here's the next hurdle for Republicans: winning enough votes on Saturday to ensure that the 106th Congress, which will convene early next month, also would support impeachment. There's a good chance they'll do it.

In one sense, this debate doesn't really matter; the current Congress is completely within its authority to impeach. In another, picking up those five extra votes will neutralize a potentially effective rhetorical point for the Democrats.

DEPRESSED DEMS
Democrats see the writing on the wall. Two of them now say they won't even bother coming to Washington on Saturday to vote on impeachment. Rep. George Miller (Calif.) is recovering from hip surgery and won't risk injury by making a cross-country flight. Rep. Tom Allen (Me.) will attend his daughter's wedding.

OVER THERE
Our English allies don't have a very high opinion of lying under oath. Former Conservative Party cabinet member Jonathan Aitken was sent to trial earlier this month for charges of perjury and perverting the course of justice. Aitken was Chief Secretary of the Treasury in 1995 and 1996.

SO SORRY
South Korean President Kim Dae-jung announced his "regret" on December 15 for fighting alongside the United States during the Vietnam War. "We should work to overcome an unhappy past," said Kim while visiting Hanoi.

Apparently President Clinton isn't the only political leader who apologizes for some alleged wrong whenever he sets foot on foreign soil.

But does Kim also regret fighting alongside the United States during, say, the Korean War? Does he regret that the United States is the only thing standing between his country and another invasion by the Communists in North Korea?