The term "impeach" has not been used too frequently on Capitol Hill. President Andrew Johnson faced it, but he beat the vote. Richard Nixon resigned before it could happen. Ronald Reagan's underlings managed to take all the heat off the Oval Office.

But now, with the prospect of DNA tests, perjury and obstruction of justice, that word is once again being bandied about in those hallowed halls of Congress.

And, of course, Special Prosecutor Ken Starr in encouraging such talk. The very discussion appears to make his four year - $40 million job somewhat justifiable. He wouldn't want to come out of this with nothing to stain the President (so to speak). Whether or not the Republican majority has the resolve to bring such an issue to a vote remains to be seen.

And there are many arguments, on both sides of the aisle, for pursuing charges against the President. On the Republican side, the issues are fairly obvious. Despite all the problems Bill Clinton has faced, from Jennifer Flowers, to Whitewater, to Paula Jones, he has managed to weasel his way out of any real trouble. And, he was the first Democrat since the 1940s to get elected to a second term. To add insult to injury, Clinton "stole" much of the Republican agenda, to appeal to middle-of-the-road voters in both parties. So there is no love lost, and the Republicans would surely love to make it a clean sweep, controlling both Houses of Congress as well as the Executive. And, with mid-term elections just around the corner, the visions of a corrupt President could help the Republicans maintain their control in Congress - perhaps even increase their numbers.

The Democrats, on the other hand, face more peculiar issues. Should the minority party want their Chief Executive to fall pray to the daggers of Congress? Should they actually vote along with the majority party to oust Mr. Clinton from the White House, if evidence warrants a vote?

Well, yes.

But not because it is the right thing to do. We are, after all, talking politics here. Politicians are not well-known for doing what is "right." And sure, they could gain some serious public support if they did not make impeachment a partisan issue. If they stood firm and said, "Hey, he's on our team, but he's a bad player, so we need to get rid of him. He is corrupt, and a liar, and has betrayed the trust of the American people. And so, with deep regret, we join our Republican brethren to vote for impeachment."

Almost puts a lump in your throat, doesn't it? A lump of what, I won't say.

No, that is not why the Democrats should vote to rid themselves of the bad memory that will be Bill Clinton. Instead, they should be looking to the practical issues facing them in the year 2000. After four years of a Democrat in the White House, the public may decide it is time for a change, regardless of what kind of sycophantic simp the Republicans offer up for the slaughter. Certainly, they are hoping for two more years of strong economic indicators, to provide them with the same luck that Mr. Clinton rode into his second term.

But they can't rely solely on the economy. Two years is a long time, and a lot can happen that might make people feel a little uneasy, or even restless. And Democrats already know it will be difficult to unseat the Veep as the obvious choice for the party in November, 2000. So they need to give him a boost, and, perhaps, a little practical experience. And what better way to do that than to give him the top job?

That's right. If Bill Clinton were to be impeached within the next six months to a year, Al Gore would become President. He would have the opportunity to do something other than go to state funerals or temple fundraisers. He would have the opportunity to appear presidential. Then, when 2000 rolls around, Al Gore will be the incumbent. And, as everyone in politics knows, incumbents are difficult to beat.

So there it is. Reason enough for Democrats to join Republicans in their effort. And, if the President wanted to play along, he could go ahead and resign, making the process all the easier. It's about the only way he'll be remembered.

It could work.