College Dems, Republicans react to State of the Union

and Edward Sherwin College Republicans and College Democrats gathered at Houston Hall last night to watch President Clinton report to Congress on the State of the Union, joining what is believed to be the largest television audience of Clinton's career. But Clinton's 72-minute long speech did not address the issue foremost on the minds of most Americans -- allegations that he perjured himself in a deposition about a possible relationship with 24-year-old former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. The specter of presidential improprieties hung over the evening's proceedings. Lewinsky's attorney, William Ginsburg, indicated yesterday that his client will strike a plea bargain, receiving immunity in exchange for an account of her relationship with the president. Reaction to the charges among members of College Republicans and College Democrats was divided. "All of the allegations seem to point in one direction," said College sophomore Patrick Ruffini, a Republican. "He wouldn't be effective as president anymore." But Democrats saw the issue differently. "I don't know the merits of the sexual misconduct case, and I don't think the American people give a damn," said Wharton junior and College Democrats Political Director David Prager. "We didn't elect him as the most sexually prudent person." Despite the allegations -- which, if true, could jeopardize Clinton's presidency -- those gathered under the Capitol's dome rose with a roar upon hearing the traditional invocation, "Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States." Commentators were quick to note that the applause was as much for the office as for the man. "These are good times for America," Clinton declared, calling for legislation on issues including new teachers, new schools and application of any budget surplus to shore up Social Security. The president also called for a raise in the minimum wage, new anti-teen smoking legislation and a patient's bill of rights. "Medical decisions ought to be made by medical doctors," Clinton said. While Democrats were elated by the president's newfound commitment to social legislation, Republican leaders challenged the President's agenda. Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., delivered the Republican rebuttal. He termed many of the new programs inconsistent with the president's promise to submit a balanced budget in 1999, three years ahead of schedule. The evening's greatest applause greeted Clinton's threat to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. "We are determined to deny you the capacity to use [weapons of mass destruction] again," the president said. At Houston Hall, student reaction focused on the allegations, not Clinton's proposals. "I think it would be more tasteful on his part to resign if it's proved he lied to the American people," said College sophomore Lisa Marshall. But Penn Democrats were slower to condemn Clinton. "This is a vast conspiracy against Clinton by [Whitewater Special Prosecutor] Kenneth Starr and his Republican cronies," College senior Utpal Inamdar said. "They're jealous because Clinton turned the economy around." Earlier in the day, First Lady Hillary Clinton blasted Starr, calling him "a politically motivated prosecutor" on NBC's Today show. Starr, who deposed the President's personal secretary yesterday as part of his continuing investigation, termed Mrs. Clinton's allegations "nonsense," and defended the expansion of his Whitewater investigation into the Lewinsky scandal.