The Republican-majority House of Representatives is expected to take up a vote on the tapes any moment now amid signs that they will force a release. The so-called Clinton Tapes, comprising four hours of videotaped testimony the President gave in which he admitted sexual relations with White House intern Monica Lewinsky, could further diminish the standing of the embattled leader and possibly destroy his Presidency.

Congressional insiders familiar with the tape have told the local media that the contents could be ``devastating'' for the President. Although there are said to be no new revelations in the testimony, White House spinmeisters dread the tape, fearing that the sight of Clintonappearing angry, defensive and evasive could further seal his political fate.

They have one small hope though. The sight of Ken Starr's aggressive prosecutors asking the President explicit and intrusive questions about sex may put off viewers and result in some sympathy for Clinton.

``We are going to hold our breath and watch it together. I'm totally dreading it because I'm sure he doesn't come across well,'' one White House official was quoted as saying.

The release of the tapes could feed an electoral silly season. Television networks and cable news channels are already beginning to lick their lips at the prospect of four hours of unfiltered testimony.

With 24 hours of news to fill, American channels have struggled to slap together enough fresh footage for the sex scandal story, often resorting to showing the same clips of Monica Lewinsky hugging the President on the ropelines. This is fresh meat.

``It is an unprecedented side of the story. It may show a dimension of the President that weheretofore haven't seen,'' one network executive told the Washington Post. Others said it would be a defining moment, both for the President and the media.

Republicans too are expected to use the footage to demolish the President and the Democrats in the forthcoming Congressional elections in November.

President Clinton meantime is hanging on grimly, mainly on the strength of his standing reflected in opinion polls. The latest numbers show that astonishingly, his job approval rating remains at a high 63 per cent. Even about the question of punishment for his mistakes, only about 25 per cent are calling for impeachment. Another 25 per cent of hard-core Clintonites want no action. But a majority, nearly 45 per cent, opt for the middle ground -- some form of censure.

But part of the problem with censure is that it is uncharted territory. The American constitution provides for impeachment, but not censure. So there are no constitutional road maps to follow. And smelling blood, the Republicans appearreluctant to chart one.

Twitted for long by the Democrats many GOP hardliners are itching to snuff out the Clinton presidency. Although they enjoy a majority in Congress, the Republicans have been smarting for the last two years because they feel Clinton hijacked their agenda and diminished them with clever executive initiatives. The urge for revenge runs deep among hardline Republicans despite the advice of the more genteel veterans like Bob Dole who are calling upon partymen to take the ``high road.''

Many Democrats are also keeping a safe distance from Clinton, not wanting to endanger their electoral prospects. They are in a cruel dilemma. On the one hand, Clinton is still a moneyspinner and a crowdpuller and his job approval numbers are high. But the voters are miffed with his personal behaviour. Appearing to defend the President or being close to him could be damaging, although Congressional elections mostly revolve around local issues.