An additional reason for optimism is the increasing evidence that a moral bottom (as opposed to just another new low) has been reached in American politics. Regardless of unprecedented political pressure and the incessant squalling by the Administration's fellow-travelers in the media, the House of Representatives (previously so weak that they seemed powerless) has impeached Bill Clinton. Nor does this appear to be an isolated action. In "Polls Apart,'' The Wall Street Journal, December 22, 1998, p A18, reported the results of a national survey by Rasmussen Research. Unlike other Administration-friendly poll-sters and reporters, Rasmussen did not stop with the usual question as to whether the responders wanted the Senate to convict and remove the President. (As with others, the answer to this question was only 37% affirmative.) The Rasmussen poll also found that 61% of Ameri-cans believe that Clinton deserves to lose his job. Of the 61% - 37% = 24%, 10% have equal contempt for Congress and the President; 10% are worried that removal from office might be bad for the country; and 4% flatly oppose the elevation of Al Gore to the Presidency. Moreover, 39% think Clinton has committed impeachable offenses worse than those for which he has been impeached.