Presidential Impeachment and Institutional Dynamics in the Iran-Contra Affair and the Clinton-Lewinsky Scandal

Datos Bibliográficos

ID6182995
AutoresAmy Fried (0000-0002-5230-3527, University of Maine), Timothy M Cole (University of Maine)
Año2004
Volumen31
Número1
Páginas77-98
Fecha de publicación2004-03-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaCongress & the Presidency (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0734-3469 • E-ISSN: 1944-1053
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/07343460409507711
OpenAlexW2014710581
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas24

This paper analyzes institutional dynamics affecting Congress's impeachment decisions regarding the Iran-Contra Affair and the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal. While other scholars have explained the Clinton impeachment by pointing to differences in the nature of the scandals–a decoupling of public opinion from legislative action, increasing partisanship, and a new media regime–these explanations overlook the nature of impeachment as an institutional confrontation, governed by institutional choices and dynamics. Taking an institutional approach, we argue that congressional decisions were strongly affected by the institutional arrangements adopted by Congress to handle the scandals' investigations. In brief, the earlier strategic approaches of party leaders and the congressional investigatory approach restrained inclinations to impeach President Reagan, while later ones promoted President Clinton's impeachment. More broadly, this analysis demonstrates the important interaction between institutional choices and party leaders' powers and strategies in affecting congressional action

Action (physics · Impeachment · Legislature · Political science · Politics · Presidency · Presidential system · American Constitutional Law and Politics · Electoral Systems and Political Participation · Law · Political Conflict and Governance