Behind Closed Doors

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

February 11, 1999 / 10:10 AM EST / CBS

Today I'm in Washington, where the Senate continues its deliberations in the trial to remove President Clinton from office.

Much like a jury in civil and criminal court, the senators are conducting these deliberations behind closed doors.

This is in accordance with the only blueprint that exists for such proceedings, the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson, over 130 years ago.

Closed-door deliberations are also in accordance with the view taken by many in the Republican majority. Many Republicans argued (among other things) that open-door deliberations would encourage some senators to grandstand and play to newfangled inventions. In Andrew Johnson's time, there were no television cameras or radio microphones. And many Republican senators believe open-door deliberations would've added hours or days to a trial that most Americans are eager to see finished.

Some Americans (including many journalists - including this one) would've preferred open-door deliberations. The argument can be made that the Johnson trial was a straight-out partisan attack, and not something today's Senate wants to emulate (or be seen emulating).

Moreover, unlike rank-and-file jurors, the senators are elected public servants. They must be accountable. Closed-door deliberations make accountability at least somewhat more difficult.

Much hangs on the verdict. The conduct of government, and the public's understanding of our leaders' integrity hang in the balance. But the door remains closed. And the deliberations go on - in secret.