Reid to Clinton: ‘You betrayed us’

Friday, Sept. 11, 1998 | 10:48 a.m.

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., one of a handful of Democrats to meet with President Clinton Thursday, told the president he "betrayed us" and that Clinton's "support on the Hill is very thin," according to reports.

Clinton provided Senate Democratic leaders with blunt assessments of how his behavior -- that is, his affair with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky and his lying about it for seven months -- may have crippled him politically.

One source told The Associated Press that Reid told Clinton that Clinton "didn't just let us down, you betrayed us."

Reid went on to tell the president that his "support on the Hill is very thin," the Associated Press said.

When questioned by the Sun, Reid refused to reveal what was said during the meeting.

"One of the things that has always upset me is when we have a private meeting, someone goes out and talks about it," Reid said.

The senator did, however, make some general remarks about the situation confronting Clinton and the nation.

"The president knows how serious I think these charges are," Reid said.

"What the president did with Ms. Lewinsky was wrong and immoral and his conduct subsequent to it has been deeply troubling. It has had an adverse effect on our families and on our children.

"I have said previously that the allegations levied against the president are extremely serious. Now, we have a chance to examine the facts. We must act deliberately and judiciously to avoid the temptation to rush to judgment."

Reid also said impeachment proceedings are "not something to be taken lightly. It has ramifications far beyond the fate of one politician. As we have seen by the stock market today, it can impact our economic security, our national security and the stability of our government."

He said that before such a step is taken, the facts must be carefully weighed.

"Congress has a constitutional responsibility to examine this report and to act on behalf of our national interest," he said. "I take this responsibility very seriously."

Sen. Bob Kerrey, D-Nebraska, said: "The possibility of impeachment is there," according to the Associated Press.

Minority Leader Thomas Daschle was quotes as saying after the closed-door session with the president: "It's fair to say we all accepted his apology."

The 445-page report is locked in a House office building and is likely to be released to the public today.

News organizations nevertheless have been leaked politically volatile details that allege Clinton lied to the grand jury, obstructed justice, tampered with witnesses and abused his power as president.

Republicans rejected requests Thursday to give Clinton a preview of the evidence that has threatened to topple him.

The House has moved to release independent counsel Kenneth Starr's report on the case for impeachment. Should impeachment go forward, Clinton would be only the third president to face such proceedings in the 222-year history of the republic.

Andrew Johnson, the president who succeeded Abraham Lincoln, was impeached by the House after he removed Secretary of War Edwin Stanton without notifying the Senate. He was acquitted at a Senate trial by one vote. Richard Nixon resigned after the House impeached him in the wake of the Watergate scandal.