In 1998, as a supporter of the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, I wrote columns criticizing Speaker Newt Gingrich for conducting the impeachment inquiry in a way unfair to Clinton. Now, as a supporter of impeaching President Trump, I agree with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy, who is criticizing Speaker Nancy Pelosi for an unfair impeachment process.

Both speakers ignore the reality that impeachment and removal of a president is such a momentous situation that the public will balk at any sign of stacking the deck.