Clinton Counsel Challenged: ‘Did He Lie?’

WASHINGTON —  Under questioning before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday, White House special counsel Gregory B. Craig was challenged at times by Republican lawmakers who are incensed that President Clinton seems to want to elude impeachment on the basis of nuance.

The most dramatic byplay came when Rep. Bob Inglis (R-S.C.) persisted in asking whether Clinton had committed perjury.

“Mr. Craig, did the president lie about never being alone in the Oval Office with Monica Lewinsky?” Inglis asked.

“Congressman,” Craig responded, “I’ve made a distinction between what was morally wrong and what was . . . “

“No, no, no, no,” Inglis interrupted. “Mr. Craig, answer that question.”

Craig said Clinton went on to testify that “it was possible” they had been alone.

Then Inglis asked whether Clinton lied in that now-famous quote in which the president said on television, “I never had sexual relations with that woman.”

“Did he lie?” Inglis asked.

“He certainly misled and deceived . . . “ Craig said.

“Well, wait a minute, now. Did he lie?”

” . . . the American people. He misled them and did not tell the truth at that moment.”

Inglis, outraged, pressed on.

“Did he lie to the American people when he said, ‘I never had sex with that woman?’ ”

“You know, he doesn’t believe he did. And because of the . . . “

“He doesn’t?”

“May I explain, congressman? He . . . “

“He doesn’t believe that he lied?”

“No, he does not believe that he lied, because his notion of what sex is is what the dictionary definition is.”