Here is David Gergen during the Bill Clinton impeachment investigation in 1998:
...At the end of the day, we should recognize that the heart of this case is not about Clinton, nor is it about Starr. It is about us, the citizenry: What standards do we demand from our elected representatives, and do we apply them equally, even to a popular president?
His defenders would have us believe that lying under oath, especially about sex, is a trivial violation of the law. Not so. The New York Times reviewed over 100 cases of perjury in state and federal courts and found that scores of people have been sent to jail or otherwise punished for lies under oath.
This episode challenges our political standards, too. After scandals of the past, as in Watergate and Iran-contra, politicians concluded that the one thing worse than a crime is a coverup. The lesson: ‘If caught, come clean.’ Should the president now go scot-free, we will teach the next generation very different, more cynical rules: If you’re questioned, deny; if pressed, attack; if caught, lie. And if you just string it out long enough, the public will grow bored and walk away from the scandal.
Journalists, lawyers, and historians do not have the political and moral authority to speak on behalf of the nation; only Congress can do that. Our lawmakers must now render a verdict in our names. Democratic statesmen like Joe Lieberman, Pat Moynihan, and Bob Kerry should take the lead, along with Republicans like Trent Lott, Bob Livingston, and yes, Newt Gingrich, to pass a joint resolution of censure. It should sternly proclaim, ‘”These offenses may not be impeachable, but they are unacceptable. Whatever his other virtues, the president’s acts have violated his public trust and stand condemned.’” One day, the next generation will thank them.”
Source: David Gergen, “Standing up for the Truth,” US News & World Report, November 30, 1998.