"CNBC reported that 47 House Republicans, wavering before the impeachment vote, were privately shown evidence gathered by attorneys for Paula Jones -- evidence earlier ruled inadmissible and as yet undisclosed to the public. "Tom DeLay warned senators that they might regret a decision merely to censure Clinton before going through additional evidence in the case. He would not reveal the nature of this evidence but said he and many other Congressmen found it "troubling." Democrats see votes lacking for Clinton removal By David Wiessler WASHINGTON, Dec 23 (Reuters) - An informal Senate poll conducted by the Senate Democratic Leader showed on Wednesday support for removing President Bill Clinton from office was short of the two-thirds majority required under the Constitution. A total of 67 senators would be needed to find Clinton guilty of the two articles of impeachment approved by the House of Representatives alleging perjury and obstruction of justice in his handling of the Monica Lewinsky affair. A spokesperson for Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota said he had been canvassing Senate sentiment and found support for removal short of that number. The Senate was preparing to begin a presidential impeachment trial for only the second time in its history -- and the first time since President Andrew Johnson in 1868 -- when it comes back on Jan. 6. Many senators were exploring the idea of censuring Clinton but allowing him to finish his term. Getting to that point was likely to be difficult and was by no means certain. Representative Tom DeLay, the Republican whip who was a major backer of impeachment in the House, said senators should review all 60,000 pages of evidence -- much of which has not yet been made public -- before making up their minds. After receiving independent counsel Kenneth Starr's report, House investigators conducted their own interviews with three women, two of whom had told Starr that Clinton pressured them not to reveal their relationships, House aides said on Wednesday. CNBC's ``Rivera Live'' reported on Wednesday that a total of 47 House Republicans, wavering before last week's impeachment vote, were secretly shown material gathered by attorneys for Paula Jones, which was ruled inadmissible and hearsay. DeLay gave no specifics, but warned senators against ``rushing to judgment,'' saying they might regret a decision to censure before going through the evidence in the case. One White House official said the DeLay statement amounted to ``a classic smear campaign,'' especially since he had not revealed the nature of the evidence he found so troubling. ``Having put the hammer to his colleagues in the House, Tom DeLay is trying to do the same in the Senate, and we believe senators will reject the politics of personal destruction,'' said White House spokesman Jim Kennedy. What seemed clear was the Senate would at least begin the trial process, even if the proceedings are halted early, to satisfy those who say it is the Senate's constitutional duty to do so. Any censure would have to be strong enough to get some Republican support. Representative Lee Hamilton, an Indiana Democrat, said in an interview he had been talking with moderate Republicans and they insisted on two preconditions for a censure settlement -- for Clinton to acknowledge he lied and for him to pay some damages. They want the money compensation because they feel that since Republican Speaker Newt Gingrich had to pay costs when he was reprimanded by the House Clinton should also pay. Clinton has not said he lied to a grand jury as charged, saying that while his answers may not have been complete they were legally correct. His approval ratings in public opinion polls at record levels despite his troubles, Clinton travelled to Baltimore on Wednesday to announce plans to boost assistance to the homeless as his legal team prepared for a Senate trial. Sen. Rick Santorum, a Pennsylvania Republican, said on MSNBC's ``Watch It'' programme that the Senate should start the trial and senators should not make up their minds in advance. But he did leave open the possibility of censure, saying there ``may be a point that you have a majority of members who decide the evidence isn't sufficient and cut short that process.'' In the only other impeachment trial after the Civil War, Johnson was acquitted by one vote.
