Online NewsHour: Politics Archive | 1997

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POLITICS


	1997 DECEMBER December 26, 1997 Political Wrap Shields & Gigot discuss the political implications of the South Korean bailout and reviews the year in politics.

	December 19, 1997 Clinton Talks Race President Clinton continued his "national dialogue on race" by welcoming conservative leaders and authors to the White House for a discussion. Shields & Gigot this and his decision to keep troops in Bosnia.

	December 12, 1997 Political Wrap Delegates reached an agreement to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, the House tried unsuccessfully to get Attorney General Janet Reno and FBI Director Louis Freeh to disclose details of their disagreement over an independent counsel investigation.

	December 10, 1997 Forum: When Symbols Clash Should America re-evaluate its civic symbols?

	December 9, 1997 Attorney General and FBI Director Testifies In a sometimes contentious day-long hearing, the House Committee investigating the campaign finance scandal heard testimony from Attorney General Janet Reno and FBI Director Louis Freeh concerning the Justice Department's investigation and the decision not to appoint a special prosecutor.

	December 5, 1997 Political Wrap Attorney General Janet Reno announced she will not seek an independent counsel to investigate fund-raising phone calls made by President Clinton and Vice President Gore. Shields & Gigot discuss Janet Reno's decision and it's implications.

	December 5, 1997 Forum: Intrigue in the Kremlin What is the impact of the latest shake up in Russia?

	December 2, 1997 Attorney General Reno Weighs In After weeks of speculation and heated debate, the Attorney General announced that she was taking the advice of her staff, not FBI Director Louis Freeh, and not appointing an Independent Counsel to investigate fund-raising calls made by President Clinton and Vice President Gore.

	December 2, 1997 The Senate Reacts Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) discuss the Attorney General's decision and its fallout on their investigation.



	NOVEMBER November 28, 1997 Shields and O'Beirne Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and Kate O'Beirne, Washington editor of the National Review, examine the political fallout from this week's major news stories, including the Iraq standoff and the APEC summit in Vancouver.

	November 24, 1997 Forum: Military Solution? Should the U.S. take military action against Saddam Hussein.

	November 21, 1997 The Iraq Crisis Mark Shields and Paul Gigot discuss the winners and losers in the Iraq showdown and the future of the labor movement after Teamsters leader Ron Carey's disqualification.

	November 20, 1997 Forum: The Legacy of Che Guevara Thirty years after his execution, what is Che Guevara's legacy?

	November 18, 1997 Forum: The Mideast Peace Process Charles Krause, just back from Israel, takes your questions.

	November 14, 1997 Identity Crisis Following a background report by Kwame Holman, Margaret Warner talks with four guests about the Democratic party at a crossroads.

	November 14, 1997 Shields & Gigot NewsHour analysts discuss Mark Shields and Paul Gigot discuss President Clinton's failure to secure "fast track", his fight to nominate Bill Lann Lee and his handling of the situation with Iraq.

	November 7, 1997 Money Talks Kwame Holman takes a look at the congressional election in New York's 13th district and the money that financed it.

	November 7, 1997 Shields & Gigot Mark Shields and Paul Gigot discuss discuss the politics of the fast track vote in Congress and the political impact of Election '97.

	November 6, 1997 Forum: Irreconcilable Differences? The China summit: success or failure?



	OCTOBER October 31, 1997 Political Wrap The Thompson committee investigating campaign finances closes up shop, and the New Jersey Governor's race opens up. Paul Gigot and Tom Oliphant discuss the week's political developments.

	October 31, 1997 Senate Suspension Senator Fred Thompson announced that his committee would suspend its investigation into campaign finance abuses. Kwame Holman reports.

	October 31, 1997 How's It Playing: Steve Fogleman from Seneca Park, Maryland The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing in Maryland.

	October 31, 1997 How's It Playing: Toody Healy from Westford, Massachusetts The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing in Massachusetts.

	October 30, 1997 Secretary Babbitt in the Hot Seat Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt defended his department's decision to turn down a proposed Indian casino. Republicans allege that the administration's choice was shaped more by political donations from competing tribes than by policy.

	October 30, 1997 Forum: The Future of Nato Is it worth the price?

	October 29, 1997 The White House Response The White House's lawyers answered questions on the sudden appearance of the videotapes of President Clinton's fund-raisers and coffees.

	October 24, 1997 China Summit NewsHour analysts Mark Shields and Paul Gigot discuss the politics of the upcoming China Summit, President Clinton's backing of IRS reform, and the continuing saga of the campaign finance hearings.

	October 23, 1997 A question of ignorance? The White House Communications Agency testified that they had not realized that recordings of coffees hosted at the White House should be turned over to investigators.

	October 22, 1997 Caught on tape? The Senate opened this week's hearings into Democratic campaign abuses by airing a series of taped fund-raisers released by the White House. Republicans say the tapes illustrate how closely President Clinton coordinated DNC and Clinton/Gore advertising campaigns. Democrats countered with tapes of events from the Reagan administration that they said illustrated similar practices by the GOP.

	October 17, 1997 Janet Reno Testifies Shields and Gigot discuss Attorney General Janet Reno's testimony before the House Judiciary Committee and the emergence of more tapes of President Clinton's White House coffees and fund-raisers.

	October 15, 1997 Ms. Reno Vs. Congress Attorney General Janet Reno appeared before the House Judiciary Committee to answer questions concerning the Justice Department's investigation into possible illegal fund-raising by the Clinton administration. After a background report by Kwame Holman, Jim Lehrer discusses the independent counsel law with Stuart Taylor of The American Lawyer. Then the NewsHour's regular panel of regional commentators give their take.

	October 14, 1997 Extending the Investigation The Attorney General Janet Reno announced that she was extending the investigation into fund-raising calls made by President Clinton during the 1994 and 1996 elections. Ms. Reno said she needed more time to explore whether the calls violated election law. Jim Lehrer discusses the developments with Washington Post reporter Roberto Suro.

	October 10, 1997 White House Coffee Tapes NewsHour political analysts review a week that saw the delay of final action on McCain-Feingold and the emergence of tapes of President Clinton's White House coffees.

	October 10, 1997 How's It Playing: Two Regional Newspapers' Views The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing around the country.

	October 10, 1997 How's It Playing: Bob Welch, Wisconsin State Senator The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing in Wisconsin.

	October 10, 1997 How's It Playing: John Korsmo from North Dakota The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing in North Dakota.

	October 9, 1997 Angry Exchanges The House finally began hearing testimony from witnesses looking into the work of DNC donor "Charlie" Yah Lin Trie. In the Senate, the committee began exploring the connection between the DNC and Ron Carey's run for the president of the Teamsters Union.

	October 8, 1997 "No Regrets" Continuing the theme set in his opening statements Tuesday, Former Deputy White House Chief of Staff Harold Ickes testified that he and the Clinton-Gore campaign did nothing wrong. After a background report by Kwame Holman, Senators Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) will discuss the issue with Margaret Warner.

	October 8, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Debating campaign reform vs. Freedom of Speech?

	October 7, 1997 The Debate Continues... The Senate was unable to end debate on the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill. Jim Lehrer discusses the future of the proposal with the bill's sponsors, Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Russ Feingold (D-WI); and opponents Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Don Nickles (R-OK).

	October 7, 1997 Ickes Begins His Testimony In a hearing marked by angry Republican charges of obstruction of justice by the White House, the former Chief of Staff to President Clinton, Harold Ickes, began his appearance before the committee.

	October 6, 1997 Outside the Beltway Following a background report on the latest from the Money Trail, the NewsHour gathers together a group of ordinary Americans from Denver to discuss the campaign finance scandal and the chances for reform.

	October 3, 1997 Fund-raising Investigation Attorney General Reno has extended an investigation of Vice President Gore's White House fundraising phone calls. Elaine Shannon of Time Magazine joins syndicated columnist Mark Shields and Wall Street Journal columnist Paul Gigot to discuss the developments.

	October 2, 1997 The Lott Amendment The NewsHour explores the possible policy and political ramifications of an amendment proposed by the Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) to ensure that all contributions are voluntary.

	October 1, 1997 The Regional Take The NewsHour explores the possible policy and political ramifications of an amendment proposed by the Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) to ensure that all contributions are voluntary.

	October 1, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums What should the federal transportation policy look like?



	SEPTEMBER September 30, 1997 Opposing Reform Many groups have come out opposed to the campaign finance reform legislation known as McCain-Feingold. The NewsHour gets the opposition view from Laura Murphy, legislative director at the American Civil Liberties Union, and Randy Tate, executive director of the Christian Coalition.

	September 29, 1997 Former Members Chime In... The Senate continued its debate of the McCain-Feingold reform bill. Meanwhile, former Vice President Walter Mondale and former Senator Nany Kassebaum-Baker came down in favor of reform. Kwame Holman reports on t he day's debate and then Mr. Mondale and Ms. Kassebaum-Baker discuss reform efforts.

	September 29, 1997 The Great Debate: A Look at the Provisions of McCain-Feingold The Senate has begun debate of the McCain-Feingold Campaign Finance Reform bill. The proposal, a slightly altered version of the one killed in 1996. The Online NewsHour explores the differences between the old and new bills and the status of the debate.

	September 26, 1997 The Debate Begins In a surprise move, Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) announced Thursday that the Senate would debate the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform proposal. The Senate began debate Friday and votes are expected to begin early next week. Kwame Holman reports and Sens. Durbin and Bennett debate.

	September 26, 1997 Campaign Finance Reform In a surprise move, Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., announced Thursday that the Senate would debate the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform proposal. Our regular political commentators, Mark Shields and Paul Gigot, discuss the debate and what the likely outcome may be.

	September 25, 1997 The FEC Testifies The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee heard of the problems the FEC has enforcing the current campaign finance law. Kwame Holman reports.

	September 24, 1997 The House Opens Its Hearings The House opened its long-awaited hearings into the campaign finance debacle by granting immunity for three witnesses. Meanwhile in the Senate, Fred Thompson (R-TN) continued to examine possible reforms. Kwame Holman reports on the day's events.

	September 24, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Can the FDA handle its new authority?

	September 23, 1997 Senate Standstill Because of an objection from Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), all the committees meeting in the Senate wee forced to cease their work. Sen. Daschle's maneuver was meant to force the Republican leadership to ensure that the Senate would debate the controversial McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform. Following a report by Kwame Holman, Senators Daschle and Nickles react.

	September 22, 1997 Fundraising Questions Attorney General Janet Reno's Justice Department is examining fund-raising calls made by President Clinton to see if a independent counsel needs to be appointed to investigate further. After a background report, Lloyd Cutler, former White House counsel in the Clinton and Carter administrations and Joseph DiGenova, former U.S. Attorney and independent counsel in the Clinton passport file investigation, provide their perspective to the recent events.

	September 19, 1997 A Change in Focus Florida businessman R. Warren Meddoff testified about fund-raising done at a $1500-a-plate dinner in Miami while the Senate announced it would shift its focus to reform next week.

	September 19, 1997 Campaign Finance Reform The NewsHour's political pundits discuss the chances for reform legislation to pass this fall, the chances of Attorney General Janet Reno appointing an independent counsel to investigate the White House, and the chances that the American public will accept the recently-passed congressional pay raise.

	September 18, 1997 Tamraz Testifies Roger Tamraz, a Lebanese-American businessman, testified before the Senate's Governmental Affairs Committee that he attempted to influence U.S. policy towards a Central Asian pipeline by donating $300,000 to the Democratic National Committee. He later spoke to President Clinton about the project, even though security officials wanted to deny him access to the White House. Kwame Holman recaps the testimony. Jim Lehrer follows with a discussion between two committee members.

	September 18, 1997 Political Pipeline Richard Tamraz, a Lebanese-American businessman, testified before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee that he donated $300,000 dollars to the Democratic National Committee to change U.S. policy towards plans to build a pipeline in Central Asia, but he is not the only one interested in bringing the oil out of the Caspian Sea region. Margaret Warner discusses the how geopolitics and oil money intersect with two experts.

	September 17, 1997 Under the Influence? The Senate finance hearings are focusing on major Democratic donor, Roger Tamraz. He met with President Clinton four times, despite the fact that members of the National Security Council refused to clear him due to past ethical violations. Kwame Holman reports.

	September 16, 1997 White House Coffees The senate again turned its attention to the work done by DNC fund-raiser John Huang as the committee opened this week of hearings. Kwame Holman reports.

	September 12, 1997 High Profile Position Shields and Gigot discuss the nomination of ambassador to Mexico.

	September 11, 1997 Sandy Berger Testifies Sandy Berger, Clinton National Security Advisor, testified before the committee. He said that during the 1996 campaign there was no adequate screening of White House visitors done.

	September 10, 1997 The DNC's Legal Chief The Democratic National Committee's head legal counsel testified he believed the Vice President did nothing wrong when he made 85 fund-raising phone calls from his White House office. Kwame Holman reports.

	September 9, 1997 Party Favors? The Senate Hearing on Campaign Finances grilled former Democratic National Committees Chairman Don Fowler about meetings between big donors and administration officials. Both parties have been criticized for using access to leaders to get large contributors.

	September 5, 1997 Political Wrap Vice President Al Gore fell under investigation for illegal campaign financing, and, for the first time in memory, Buddhist nuns testified on the Hill. Mark Shields and Paul Gigot discuss the week.

	September 4, 1997 The Hearings Return Tom Bearden reports on the first day of hearings since the August break. Three immunized nuns from the Buddhist temple Al Gore visited in 1996 testified to laundering money from the temple to the campaign. Following Bearden's report, Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA) and Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) debate the Vice President's role.

	September 4, 1997 The Gore Investigation Margaret Warner discusses the Justice Department's preliminary investigation into Vice President Gore with Ron Ostrow of the Los Angeles Times and then Senators Specter and Torricelli react.



	AUGUST August 29, 1997 Newt Gingrich Reappears Over the past eight months, House Speaker Newt Gingrich has weathered an ethics investigation and rebellious young Republicans. Now 40 pounds trimmer and newly-barbered, "The New Newt" has reemerged for a two week cross-country tour.

	August 29, 1997 Shields and Gigot Margaret Warner talks with Mark Shields and Paul Gigot, the NewsHour's regular political commentators, about Newt Gingrich and other political figures.

	August 26, 1997 Forum: The North Korean Famine Is the famine in North Korea bigger than we can imagine?

	August 22, 1997 Political Wrap The NewsHour's regular political commentators debate the Teamsters troubles, Paula Jones' suit against the President and more DNC fundraising revelations.

	August 15, 1997 American Optimism Americans are more confident about the direction of the country, but less interested in Washington. Our political analysts discuss this trend, the budget, taxes and the UPS strike.

	August 10, 1997 How's It Playing: Two Regional Newspapers' Views The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing around the country.

	August 10, 1997 How's It Playing: Art Noonan of Butte, Montana The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing in Montana.

	August 10, 1997 How's It Playing: Tim Knopp of Bend, Oregon The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing in Oregon.

	August 8, 1997 Nomination to Mexico This week Paul Gigot is joined by Tom Oliphant to discuss Bill Weld's nomination as ambassador to Mexico, the line item veto and the new budget agreement.

	August 3, 1997 Guilt By Association? With news of the "Asian connection" coming from the Senate investigation, many are asking what impact is the hearings having on the political participation of Asian-Americans? The Online NewsHour explores the issue with elected representatives and political activists.

	August 1, 1997 Week in Review Kwame Holman reviews the Senate's investigation into the actions of Democratic fund-raiser Charlie Yah Lin Trie.

	August 1, 1997 Shields and Gigot In this week's Political Wrap: Campaign financing and the Asia connection, the Budget Deal, tax cuts, the 1998 election and William Weld's nomination as ambassador to Mexico.

	August 1, 1997 How's It Playing: Two Regional Newspapers' Views The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing around the country.



	JULY July 31, 1997 The Investigators Two invesitgators, hired by the President's legal trust fund, told the committee they were instructed to examine the contributions delivered by Charlie Trie, but to leave Mr. Trie alone. Kwame Holman reports on the last hearing prior to the August break.

	July 30, 1997 Trust Fund Questions The Senate examined the relationship between controversial Democratic fund-raiser Charlie Yah Lin Trie and the President's and First Lady's legal defense fund. Kwame Holman reports on the hearing.

	July 29, 1997 The Charlie Trie Problem The Senate opens its fourth week of hearings into campaign finance irregularities by focusing on the fund-raising done by Yah Lin "Charlie" Trie. Kwame Holman reports.

	July 27, 1997 Debating Immunity When members of the Senate's Governmental Affairs Committee decided last week to grant immunity to five individuals connected with possible violations of campaign finance law, they came down on one side of a tricky balancing act -- the need to bring out the truth versus the need to prosecute wrongdoers.

	July 25, 1997 Examining the NPF During a sometimes stormy session, the committee heard testimony from a lawyer for the Hong Kong businessman that contradicted statements made Thursday by former RNC chief Haley Barbour.

	July 25, 1997 Political Wrap Mark Shields and Paul Gigot discuss Haley Barbour's defense of a GOP/Hong Kong connection, fallout from the failed attempt to oust Speaker Gingrich and pearls of wisdom from Rep. Sony Bono, R-Calif.

	July 24, 1997 Haley's Comments Did the Republican party violate campaign financing laws during recent elections? Former chairman of the GOP, Haley Barbour, defended his actions at Senate hearings Thursday.

	July 24, 1997 Two Senators React Senators Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Dick Durbin (D-IL) debate the testimony by former RNC head Haley Barbour and report on the state of the hearings.

	July 24, 1997 Life of a Libertarian Charles Murray, a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, discusses his book, "What It Means To Be a Libertarian: A Personal Interpretation."

	July 23, 1997 Questioning the Republicans The Senate investigation examined the fund-raising done by the Republican National Committee. They examined the questionable practices surrounding the National Policy Forum and set the stage for Thursday's star witness, former RNC head Haley Barbour. The Committee also voted to grant immunity to five witnesses, over the objections of the Department of Justices.

	July 23, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Ask Reps. Pappas & Tauscher about campaign reform, taxes and GOP leadership battles.

	July 21, 1997 Congressional Investigations, The Long View The NewsHour's regular panel of historians, joined by former Senator Warren Rudman (R-NH), look at the nature of congressional investigations.

	July 20, 1997 How's It Playing: Two Regional Newspapers' Views The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing around the country.

	July 20, 1997 How's It Playing: Hans von Spakovsky of Atlanta, Georgia The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing in Georgia.

	July 20, 1997 How's It Playing: Joyce Haas of College Park, Pennsylvania The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing in Pennsylvania.

	July 20, 1997 How's It Playing: Mary Ellen Early Writes from California The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing in California.

	July 20, 1997 How's It Playing: Randy Horeuichi of Salt Lake City, Utah The investigation is big news in Washington, but how's it playing in Utah.

	July 18, 1997 Hearings Wrap - Week Two The NewsHour looks back at the past week of hearings. After Kwame Holman reports on the revelations from the past week, Margaret Warner discusses the state of the investigation with Marc Lacey of the Los Angeles Times and James Barnes of the National Journal.

	July 18, 1997 Shields and Gigot What a week! House Speaker Newt Gingrich quashed an attempt by conservative rebels to oust him. Then there were the campaign spending hearings. Are they getting anywhere?

	July 17, 1997 The Wanderings of Huang The Senate examined the "suspicious" work of John Huang. They interviewed a secretary from an Arkansas- based accounting firm that served as a second office for the then-Commerce Department official.

	July 16, 1997 The CIA Testifies The Senate heard testimony from the CIA agent assigned to the Commerce Department. The agent, John Dickerson, testifying behind a screen to protect his identity, told the committee that he had briefed John Huang on classified information regarding China.

	July 16, 1997 Resisting Change & Resisting Arrest Congress is often seen as a place that maintains the status quo and resists changes to the system. But the campaign finance reform fight of 1988 may be one of the most violent and strangest in Senate history.

	July 15, 1997 Lippo in the Spotlight Senator Fred Thompson kicked off the second week of testimony with former employees of the Indonesia-based Lippo Group. Kwame Holman reports.

	July 11, 1997 Shields and Gigot Our pundits spar over the campaign finance investigations that began this week in the Senate. Is the committee really addressing the issues or simply playing party politics?

	July 11, 1997 Forum: Tobacco Deal: To Sign, or Not to Sign? Rep. Waxman (D-CA) & state Atty. Gen. Blumenthal (CT) debate the new agreement.

	July 10, 1997 Sullivan in the Hot Seat: the Hearings Day Three Former Democratic National Committee finance chief Richard Sullivan spent a second day before the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee answering questions on possible money laundering and foreign fund-raising practices.

	July 10, 1997 A Possible Immunity Deal: the John Huang Debate Behind the scenes, the first week of the Senate's campaign finance investigation has been focused on a possible immunity deal for Democratic fund-raiser John Huang. Two former special prosecutors examine the wisdom of congressional immunity with Jim Lehrer.

	July 9, 1997 The First Witness The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee called its first witness in its investigation. Richard Sullivan, former DNC finance official, said that John Huang had been hired after two calls from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Harold Ickes. Kwame Holman reports on Day Two.

	July 9, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Reps. Granger & Johnson debate the proposed tax cuts.

	July 8, 1997 Opening Statements Senator Fred Thompson opened his committee's hearings into campaign finance irregularities saying he believed that the Chinese government had made a concerted effort to infiltrate the U.S. government. Listen to excerpts from the opening statements.

	July 8, 1997 Initial Maneuvers On the first day of the Senate's investigation into campaign fund-raising practices, both parties made startling revelations. Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) said the committee had proof of an organized effort by the Chinese government to influence U.S. government. The ranking Democrat to John Glenn (D-OH) also stated that a possible immunity agreement had been reached with Democratic fund-raiser John Huang. Senators Glenn and Arlen Specter (R-PA) discuss the first day's events with Jim Lehrer.

	July 7, 1997 The Fight to Start the Hearings In preparing for their investigative hearings members of Senate Governmental Affairs Committee have faced a number of challenges, not the least of which is pronouncing the names of some potential witnesses. Kwame Holman report on the political manuevers behind the hearings.

	July 4, 1997 Tax Cut Proposals NewsHour analysts Mark Shields and Paul Gigot debate the tax cut proposals and campaign finance hearings.

	July 3, 1997 Forum: Hong Kong: Handling the Handover The British flag goes down, the Chinese flag goes up..



	JUNE June 27, 1997 Shields and Gigot Political analysts Mark Shields and Paul Gigot assess the latest wrangling in Congress over taxes and Medicare eligibility and ethical questions surrounding recent Whitewater investigation tactics.

	June 25, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Reps. Carson and Gibbons on how effective the EPA is.

	June 20, 1997 Shields and Gigot This week's Political Wrap focuses on House Speaker Newt Gingrich's leadership woes and President Clinton's new initiative for improving race relations.

	June 20, 1997 Forum: Line Item Veto Debate Is the line item veto unconstitutional? Two Congressmen debate.

	June 18, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Sens. Reed and Enzi on the campaign finance investigation.

	June 13, 1997 Political Wrap Margaret Warner joins Mark Shields and Paul Gigot in discussing disaster relief, the Republican leadership, and the new tax bill.

	June 11, 1997 Forum: Freshman Forums Ban soft money? Allen (D-ME) & Shimkus (R-IL) debate.

	June 6, 1997 Shields and Gigot Our pundits debate disaster relief snags, Paula Jones, double standards in military sexual conduct, and the possible nomination of Gov. Bill Weld of Massachusetts as U.S. ambassador to Mexico.

	June 4, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Was Congress callous for not passing a flood relief bill?

	June 3, 1997 Forum: Pulling the Plug on Monopolies? Should Congress de-regulate local electric companies?



	MAY May 30, 1997 Shields and Gigot Political analysts discuss if Dick Gephardt's differences with the President signaling a split in the Democratic party and the impact of the Supreme Court's ruling in the Paula Jones case.

	May 23, 1997 Shields and Gigot . In this week's Political Wrap our pundits discuss wrangling over the budget deal and the political lessons learned from the case of Air Force Lt. Kelly Flinn.

	May 21, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums John Sununu (R-NH) and Bill Pascrell (D-NJ) on tackling juvenile justice.

	May 16, 1997 Budget Deal Wall Street Journal columnist Paul Gigot and columnist Tom Oliphant of the Boston Globe discuss the budget deal and partial birth abortion.

	May 14, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Reps. Kay Granger (R-TX) and Jay Johnson (D-WI) on governing in a Net age.

	May 13, 1997 Forum: Peru Hostage Rescue What should a government do about a hostage crisis?

	May 9, 1997 Shields and Gigot This week's Political Wrap focuses on the details of the budget deal, the lack of additional Congressional agendas, and illegal foreign contributions to election campaigns.

	May 7, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Reps. Jim Gibbons (R-NV) and Julia Carson (D-IN) on the proposed budget deal.

	May 6, 1997 Forum: A Labour Landslide What will Tony Blair's government mean for the UK?

	May 2, 1997 Shields and Gigot Congress and Clinton have made a deal -- balance the Federal budget by 2002, spend more for child healthcare and education, but cut programs such as Medicare and Medicaid by $200 billion. Following a background report by Kwame Holman, Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M. and Budget Director Franklin Raines discuss negotiations with Paul Solman. Shields and Gigot debate the merits of the negotiations.



	APRIL April 29, 1997 Forum: State of the Mexican Union Journalist Michael Stott focusses on the Mexican drug war and how it relates to Mexican-U.S. relations.

	April 28, 1997 Forum: The Year 2000 Crisis Rep. Constance Morella (R-MD) addresses the reality of the Year 2000 Crisis. Is it a computer catastrophe or just high tech hype?

	April 25, 1997 Shields & Gigot This week's political wrap looks at the ramifications of the chemical weapons treaty and the resignation of Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed.

	April 24, 1997 Political Jousting The chairmen of the Republican and Democratic parties discuss the political climate in Washington and debate the way elections are run and money raised.

	April 23, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Representatives Tom Allen (D-ME) and John Shimkus (R-IL) on the pace of Congress.

	April 18, 1997 DNC Campaign Financing The NewsHour's political analysts, syndicated columnist Mark Shields and Wall Street Journal columnist Paul Gigot, discuss the Dole/Gingrich loan and Attorney General Reno's decision not to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate DNC campaign financing.

	April 18, 1997 Shields and Gigot After three months of discussion, Speaker Newt Gingrich announced he would pay off the $300,000 fine with a loan from former presidential candidate and Senator Bob Dole.

	April 16, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Representatives Mike Pappas (R-NJ) and Ellen Taucher (D-CA) discuss how Congress should change the tax system.

	April 10, 1997 Shields and Gigot Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and Wall Street Journal columnist Paul Gigot discuss the Federal Court ruling striking down the presidential line-item veto, Newt Gingrich's image, and campaign finance reform.

	April 9, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Representative John Sununu (R-NH) and Mike McIntyre (D-NC) answer questions on the state of the House leadership.

	April 4, 1997 Shields and Gigot Shields and Gigot discuss recent new reports that chief White House staffers helped Webster Hubbell find work after he left the Justice Department, and review Newt Gingrich's trip to China and his criticism of Weekly Standard editor Bill Kristol.

	April 4, 1997 Forum: Crisis in the Middle East Professor Amos Pearlmutter and Mohammed Hallaj respond to questions surrounding the endangered peace process.



	MARCH March 28, 1997 U.S. Relations with China Syndicated columnist Mark Shields, and Washington editor for the National Review, Kate O'Beirne, discuss Al Gore's China trip and Newt Gingrich. At issue: most favored nation status vs. China's human rights record and Gingrich's leadership problems in Congress.

	March 28, 1997 Forum: The Nuclear Waste Debate Can the government force Nevada to accept the nation's nuclear waste? Senate Energy Committee Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-AK) and Senator Richard Bryan (D-NV) debate the politics of safety and science.

	March 26, 1997 As Goes Maine... Hedrick Smith reports on one state's effort to change the way political campaigns are funded and run in the final installment of his three-part series.

	March 25, 1997 Sugar Daddy In the second installment of his three-part series on money in politics, special correspondent Hedrick Smith looks at one group's efforts to protect their interests. The sugar producers have supplied millions of dollars to political campaigns to protect price supports they receive from the government.

	March 21, 1997 Forum: Unfair Scrutiny? What went wrong with the DNC's plan to get out the Asian American vote?

	March 19, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Representative Kay Granger (R-TX) and Congressman Jay Johnson (D-WI) address scandals, flex-time, and the cheese exchange.

	March 18, 1997 Process Of Elimination In a letter to the President withdrawing his nomination as CIA director, Anthony Lake took shots at a confirmation system that, he said, is too concerned with "partisanship" and "gotcha." For a closer look at Lake's withdrawal, NewsHour correspondents are joined by: Senators Shelby and Kerrey, the chairman and ranking member of the Senate Intelligence committee, Mark Shields and Paul Gigot and our regular panel of historians and retired Senator Malcolm Wallop.

	March 18, 1997 Advise And Consent Last December an enthusiastic President Clinton announced his choice of Alexis Herman to replace Robert Reisch as secretary of Labor. The Senate Labor Committee held the confirmation hearing and is expected to vote on whether to recommend confirmation to the full Senate after Congress's Easter break.

	March 14, 1997 Political Wrap Regular pundits syndicated columnist Mark Shields and Wall Street Journal columnist Paul Gigot discuss the flap between the White House and the FBI, and the Senate's decision to expand its campaign fundraising investigation.

	March 12, 1997 Slow Going Ethical problems and campaign finance irregularities are taking up an undue amount of time. Margaret Warner talks to a panel of sophomore representatives about the slow pace of the 105th Congress.

	March 12, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Is Congress too uncivil? Representatives Julia Carson (D-IN) and Jim Gibbons (R-NV) respond.

	March 7, 1997 Political Wrap Following a Clinton news conference, our regular pundits syndicated columnist Mark Shields and Wall Street Journal columnist Paul Gigot discuss the President's spin on the recent scandals surrounding the financing of his 1996 campaign.

	March 6, 1997 Forum: Senate Armed Services Members of the Senate Armed Services, Senators Chuck Robb (D-VA) and Rick Santorum (R-PA) respond to questions about sexual misconduct in the military.

	March 5, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Mike Enzi (R-WY) & Tom Allen (D-ME) on the budget amendment & campaign finance.



	FEBRUARY February 28, 1997 Shields, Gigot and Kohut Shields and Gigot, join pollster Andy Kohut to assess President Clinton's fund raising techniques. The verdict: inside the Beltway cares; outside D.C. doesn't. Also, is the balanced budget amendment "toast"? And what will happen to Tony Lake?

	February 27, 1997 TV Ratings The Senate Commerce Committee heard testimony about the new TV ratings system in response to a growing number of complaints, from both inside and outside Congress, that the system is too vague.

	February 26, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Senators John Shimkus (R-IL) & Diana DeGette (D-CO) discuss the Balanced Budget Amendment and the DNC fundraising scandal.

	February 21, 1997 Political Wrap Shields and Gigot discuss the dramatic about-face of special Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Starr and campaign finance reform.

	February 19, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) & Mike Pappas (R-NJ) discuss Campaign Financing and Term Limits.

	February 13, 1997 Paying Dues Here's another look at the Clinton agenda as set out in his State of the Union address last week in which he focused on the U.S. and its delinquent dues to the United Nations.

	February 12, 1997 Serving Time This is the second time in two years a constitutional amendment to limit the terms of senators and representatives has arrived on the floor of the House.

	February 12, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums John Sununu (R-NH) & Mike McIntyre (D-NC) discuss Clinton's 1998 Federal Budget.

	February 7, 1997 Political Wrap Shields and Gigot review a week that saw the annual State of the Union address and the release of the president's proposed fiscal year 1998 budget. They also discuss the re-introduced balanced budget amendment and the weakened political power of Newt Gingrich.

	February 7, 1997 Forum: Peruvian Hostage Crisis What's behind the hostage crisis at the Japanese embassy in Peru? Is a solution in sight?

	February 3, 1997 Forum: Freshmen Forums Kay Granger (R-TX) and Jay Johnson (D-WI) respond to questions about the Newt Gingrich vote and the prospects for bipartisanship in the 105th Congress.



	JANUARY January 31, 1997 Ethical Meltdown Scandal dominated the political scene in Washington this week. Two of the nation's most powerful leaders, President Clinton and House Speaker Newt Gingrich, faced tough questions about their election activities. After a background report on the recent ethical charges, the NewsHour's regulars debate the charges and if a "double standard" exists for Democrats and Republicans.

	January 31, 1997 Drawing on Politics Political cartoonists Michael Ramirez of the Memphis Commercial Appeal and USA Today, Ann Telnaes of North America's Syndicate, Doug Marlette of Newsday, and Steve Kelley of San Diego Union Tribune assess the year thus far.

	January 30, 1997 Civil Discourse A panel of historians debates bipartisanship in government operations.

	January 29, 1997 Cabinet Work The Senate moved ahead on several fronts in an effort to complete the confirmation work for President Clinton's second term cabinet.

	January 24, 1997 Political Wrap The NewsHour's regulars discuss the vote to discipline Speaker Newt Gingrich, its affect on the Republican party, and campaign finance reform.

	January 23, 1997 English Lesson Kwame Holman reports on the Ebonics debate which has moved to the U.S. Senate.

	January 22, 1997 Civil Discourse A bipartisan look at the Washington atmosphere into which the abortion and other political and legislative debates must now exist.

	January 22, 1997 Cohen At Defense Kwame Holman reports on the Senate confirmation of William Cohen, President Clinton's nominee for secretary of defense.

	January 21, 1997 Judgment Day The House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly to formally reprimand and fine Speaker Newt Gingrich $300,000 for ethics violations.

	January 21, 1997 Regional Views Elizabeth Farnsworth leads a look at what our regional commentators think about the Newt Gingrich ethics punishment and President Clinton's second inauguration.

	January 20, 1997 Paul Tsongas Passes Paul Tsongas, the former Massachusetts senator and a presidential candidate in 1992, died over the weekend from liver failure and pneumonia. He was 55 years old. Shields and Gigot offer a reflection.

	January 20, 1997 Inauguration Reaction The NewsHour's regular pundits, Mark Shields and Paul Gigot, and historians Michael Beschloss, Haynes Johnson, Steven Ambrose and Doris Kearns Goodwin, share their impressions of President Clinton's inaugural address with Jim Lehrer and Margaret Warner. Shield and Gigot analyze inauguration day.

	January 17, 1997 Gingrich Ethics Hearings The NewsHour pundits analyze the findings of the House Ethics Committee special counsel who recommended Friday that Newt Gingrich be reprimanded by the full House in a vote next week. Gingrich will also have to pay a $300,000 fine for violating House rules. Mark Shields, Paul Gigot and Norman Ornstein speak with Jim Lehrer.

	January 17, 1997 Speaker Under Fire House Speaker Newt Gingrich agreed to pay a $300,000 fine as part of his punishment for violating House ethics rules.

	January 17, 1997 Forum: Analyzing an Inaugural Speech What makes an inaugural speech memorable? Ask two veteran Presidential speech writers.

	January 15, 1997 Forum: Clinton's Second Term: Reporters' Views What do journalists who report on Clinton expect from his second term?

	January 14, 1997 Speaker Phone The latest in the never-ending saga of the Newt Gingrich ethics story is now also a McDermott ethics story dealing with a cellular phone call.

	January 13, 1997 Forum: The Second Time Around Second term Presidencies should be smoother and more successful than first terms. But history suggests they've gone the other way. Why?

	January 10, 1997 Public Blood Feud Republicans and Democrats in Congress blamed each other for trying to undercut the process for punishing Speaker Gingrich after he admitted ethics violations. Meanwhile, a Democratic congressman submitted to the press an illegal wire tap that suggests Gingrich violated his agreement with the Ethics Committee. After a backgrounder on the Gingrich scandal, Shields and Gigot discuss various ethical problems in both the House and the White House with Jim Lehrer.

	January 10, 1997 Ethics in Perspective Margaret Warner and veteran Congress watcher Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute discuss the Newt Gingrich situation.

	January 10, 1997 Forum: Hong Kong: Returning to the Fold What will happen when Communist China takes back control of Hong Kong this summer?

	January 8, 1997 Ethics: A History Lesson A panel of NewsHour historians puts perspective on political scandal, in light of the furor over Speaker Gingrich.

	January 8, 1997 Madame Secretary Kwame Holman reports on Madeleine Albright's hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

	January 7, 1997 The Re-election of Speaker Gingrich Newt Gingrich was re-elected speaker of the House of Representatives by a 216-vote majority.

	January 7, 1997 Gingrich Analysis Some reaction to, and analysis of, the re-election of Newt Gingrich as speaker of the House.

	January 6, 1997 A Question Of Ethics As the House of Representatives prepares to choose its speaker, ethical questions continue to swirl around the House's current leader, Republican Speaker Newt Gingich.

	January 6, 1997 Class of '97 Kwame Holman takes a look at the new Senate.

	January 3, 1997 Shields and O'Beirne Washington pundits Mark Shields and Kate O'Beirne discuss the ethics problems of Newt Gingrich and weigh the possibilities of his re-election as speaker of the House of Representatives.

	January 3, 1997 Forum: Life After Colonialism, Part II: Economic Independence What about economic independence for the developing world? California has a larger GNP than most of Africa...

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