So much has happened in the twelve years since Clinton's impeachment that some may wonder whether the topic matters anymore, if it ever did. This book, written by one of the House Impeachment Managers using extensive notes from the tumultuous period Jan 1998-Feb 1989, argues that it did, and does.



Judge Rogan was a freshman GOP Congressman from an increasingly Democratic district that included a big chunk of Hollywood. He joined the Judiciary committee shortly after the death of Sonny Bono, and j

So much has happened in the twelve years since Clinton's impeachment that some may wonder whether the topic matters anymore, if it ever did. This book, written by one of the House Impeachment Managers using extensive notes from the tumultuous period Jan 1998-Feb 1989, argues that it did, and does.



Judge Rogan was a freshman GOP Congressman from an increasingly Democratic district that included a big chunk of Hollywood. He joined the Judiciary committee shortly after the death of Sonny Bono, and just before the Drudge headline introduced the country to Monica Lewinski. Rogan, previously a gang prosecutor and superior court judge, was ideally suited to deal with that crazy year, all the while knowing his House career was imperiled by any role he would play.



Rogan, author of Rough Edges, is no prude. In that first book he described his upbringing in San Francisco's Mission district, his ex-felon welfare mom, his work as a bartender in such high-class joints as Filthy McNasty's (home of the original mud wrestling pit), and so on. He also credits Bill Clinton, then Arkansas attorney general, for guiding and inspiring his career. A political junkie from his youth, Rogan's devotion to meeting and collecting memorabilia from politicians served him well in later years as he became colleagues with folks like Ted Kennedy, Evan Bayh, Peter Rodino, and John Conyers. As Rogan describes the street fights of Washington politics, he also demonstrates the value in building bridges as well as seige works. Small kindnesses served Rogan well even with those who were most opposed to his efforts.



As with Rough Edges, Catching Our Flag is very readable. Rogan needs no ghost writer; the man has a crisp, witty style that reflects the humor he managed to keep in the most stressful situations. I blame him for several sleepless nights with my Kindle; I hated for it to end, even though I knew how it would.



As for the content: many, many books have been written about the impeachment saga, both for and against. Some have a big-picture view; others, focused on re-arguing the case, or on comparisons with the Johnson and Nixon impeachment sagas. Rogan's book is first-person, and reflects his diary of the time and subsequent reflections. As such it is a fierce defense of the House's work and a scathing condemnation of the Senate's repudiation of its own role, even while acknowledging the political realities. Which he knew only too well; Rogan lost his House seat over his participation, and was Target #1 from Team Clinton.



If you have strong feelings about Clinton you will either feel validated or outraged by this book. Rogan helpfully includes in an appendix a sampling of "fan mail" he got relating to his time as an impeachment manager. Some of the kindest responses came from Senate Democrats.



This is an important addition to the historical record, but it's also an engaging and often laugh-out-loud read. It provides Rogan's impressions of many figures who remain prominent and powerful in Washington, and that gives it relevance. It lowered my opinion of some people, gave me more sympathy for others, and offered solid lessons on the value of personal relationships in politics, even with - especially with - one's adversaries.