Paula Jones Goes to Washington

Paula Jones - haven’t heard of her! Well, don’t worry. You soon will. For Paula Jones is taking President William J. Clinton to court.

Jones is taking Clinton to court on charges of sexual harassment. Her civil suit accuses Clinton of summoning her to his hotel room during a state conference in May of 1991, where he disrobed and requested certain favors (he was governor of Arkansas and she was a state employee). Jones refused and left. Embarrassed, she immediately relayed the event to two friends and a number of family members; these testimonies along with those of the Arkansas State Trooper that escorted her, solidify the circumstantial evidence surrounding the case.

When Jones came forward with her story two-and-a-half years after the incident, the response was extremely negative. Many believed it was another trumped up charge by the religious right. Others ignored Jones thinking she was another attention seeking flake.

Newsweek admitted this in a special story on the case (Jan. 13, 1997).

They said that there was an "elitist attitude" in the press toward Jones, whom they referred to as "some sleazy woman with big hair coming out of the trailer parks."

This attitude lasted until the story - and Jones - were investigated and found to be quite legitimate.

It is at this point most will admit that Jones has the right to sue Clinton (which she is, for a $700,000 sum - that she says will go to charity). The current debate, and the issue before the Supreme Court, is whether or not this case will take place during Clinton’s term, or after he leaves office.

The Democrats contend that allowing a case, which they consider a frivolous bipartisan tactic, to proceed amounts to an attack on the office of the president and will open up a floodgate for future attacks on the president.

These attacks are harmful as evidenced by the close to $1.5 million Clinton has spent on his defense, and the time and energy that it has sapped from him and his job as president.

The Republicans counter that no one is above the law, even the president; therefore, the case should proceed according to the law.

After all, justice can’t be served only when it is convenient.

Regardless of whether the Supreme Court allows the case to continue in 1997 or freeze it until 2001, it will go to court.

If the case does proceed this year, the worst that could happen to Clinton is the $700,000 in damages and public embarrassment.

He would not be impeached from office because of this suit. But the public, as a whole, has already decided one way or another about his character.

by Philip Pfanstiel

published February 3, 1997