``I think the Senate will have a trial,'' Mississippi Senator Trent Lott told ABC television's Meet The Press.

Others believe the Senate is obligated to try the President if articles are passed by the 435-member House of Representatives. But Lott disagreed.

``Do we have to? I don't think absolutely, but I think that it would be hard not to do that if the House votes one or more articles,'' he said.

``So we will begin to prepare for (a trial) if the House votes articles of impeachment.''

The Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee is expected to approve Articles of impeachment, which could include perjury, obstruction of justice and abuse of power.

If that happens the matter would be forwarded to the House. A committee vote is likely on Thursday or Friday.

But Democrats are accusing Republicans of tryingto block another, milder option -- censure.

Representative John Conyers charged that the Republican pursuit of impeachment Is ``clinical, pathological,'' and ignores the 70 percent of Americans who want an end to the matter.

In the same program, Conyers complained that censuring the President -- as opposed to impeaching him -- was being ``blocked'' by Republicans, including Tom DeLay, the House Republican whip.

``You can't take November 3 off your calendar,'' said Congressman John Conyers, referring to Republican losses in Congressional mid-term elections.

But the President's support appears to have slipped since then.

Lott said the President's responses in the House to 81 questions sent last week, ``were considered to be evasive, arrogant, unresponsive and a perpetuation of an attitude that has led to the very impeachment that's being considered by the House.''

Clinton's response may have strengthened the hand of his Republican opponents, observers say.

While the Senate has no role inimpeachment, Lott said, it acts only if the House votes for one or more articles of impeachment.

``This is not something that we want to do but we have a constitutional duty. We cannot walk away from it.''

Lott said he believed Congress could do other business while the President's punishment is being considered.