Presidential Trial Sparks Little Student Interest

It's in the papers, on television and headed for the history books. But despite media attention and historical significance, some students say they've lost interest in President Clinton's political saga.

"I don't really follow it any more," said Ashley J. McCants '02. "Now if I see it on television or see it in the newspaper, I'll take a look, but I don't spend a lot of time following it."

As the recently impeached president's trial begins and the Senate weighs the evidence for removing him from office, many students at Harvard are spending more time studying at Lamont than following the proceedings.

"I've been watching it every once in a while. I haven't been glued to it or anything," Tad A. Fallows '02 said.

Other students said they are keeping up to date via television, newspapers and the Internet. Hannah Choi '01 said she followed the impeachment "on TV over break and in newspapers and on Hotline [an Internet political journal] at school."

"It's kind of hard not to follow it," said Preston B. Golson '02, a committee member of the Institute of Politics (IOP). "It's an important issue, and it's everywhere."

Alex W. Lloyd '02 agreed that the trial merits attention.

"I think it's important to keep tabs on what else the Republican party is going to do to drag this out and assault the democratic process," he said.

But even students who aren't watching CNN in every spare minute still have strong opinions about the issues.

"I'm disgusted by the whole thing," said McCants, who wrote to her representative over the summer expressing her discontent. "We were taught that impeachment was for extreme circumstances."

Some said that their opinions have changed as the scandal progressed. Choi said she originally believed Clinton should step down but now feels that his resignation would hurt the country.

Kristine A. Knuti '01, who said she is "on the fence" on the issue of impeachment, said she now feels the controversy is monopolizing Congress.

"It's taken away from what they really should be working on," she said. "What happened needs to be dealt with, but it's gotten way too much time."

Others said they were upset that while the scandal has drawn the public's attention, other political issues go unnoticed.

"In my opinion, most of this country is pretty apathetic," said Marc Stad '01, vice president of the Harvard-Radcliffe College Democrats. "Is this the issue everyone should come together on?"

Choi agreed that the public's attention is misdirected.

"Everyone focuses on the partisanship of it. We're missing the important point that happened on a bigger and much more historical scale," said Choi, a member of the IOP's Student Advisory Committee.

Despite differing political sentiments, most said they felt the process has dragged on too long.

"I think, if asked, almost everybody would say 'I wish it would be over.'" Stad said.NEW ENTERTAINMENT: Students gather around a television to watch the Senate trial of the President begin.

Some said that their opinions have changed as the scandal progressed. Choi said she originally believed Clinton should step down but now feels that his resignation would hurt the country.

Kristine A. Knuti '01, who said she is "on the fence" on the issue of impeachment, said she now feels the controversy is monopolizing Congress.

"It's taken away from what they really should be working on," she said. "What happened needs to be dealt with, but it's gotten way too much time."

Others said they were upset that while the scandal has drawn the public's attention, other political issues go unnoticed.

"In my opinion, most of this country is pretty apathetic," said Marc Stad '01, vice president of the Harvard-Radcliffe College Democrats. "Is this the issue everyone should come together on?"

Choi agreed that the public's attention is misdirected.

"Everyone focuses on the partisanship of it. We're missing the important point that happened on a bigger and much more historical scale," said Choi, a member of the IOP's Student Advisory Committee.

Despite differing political sentiments, most said they felt the process has dragged on too long.

"I think, if asked, almost everybody would say 'I wish it would be over.'" Stad said.NEW ENTERTAINMENT: Students gather around a television to watch the Senate trial of the President begin.