Irwin Morris Votes, Money, And The Clinton Impeachment

Annotation

In the first in-depth examination of politics of the Clinton impeachment, Morris looks at the impact of local constituencies on impeachment rather than the popular press focus on partisan animosity and ethical standards. Though most legislators sided with their constituents on the issue of impeachment, a significant number-nearly all Republican-did not. Using the most recent work on the impact of money on elections, Morris investigates the financial dynamics of the Clinton impeachment and argues that our current system of campaign finance enabled House Republicans to impeach the President and provided them with the means to retain their majority in the House. Morris also argues that money (and the ability to raise it) play a far more important role in the American political system than previously realized, often determining the winners and losers in the most important controversies and conflicts facing the nation.