Article...Reno and Gore in Devil Pact
Dan Frisa
Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2000
newsmax.com
How much evidence is enough? How many top Clinton administration Justice Department officials need recommend a special prosecutor to investigate the obvious and egregious legal shortcomings of Al Gore?
How many iced tea-inspired trips to the White House lavatory raise enough suspicion? How many illegal fund-raising phone calls need be made from the vice president’s White House office?
And how many Buddhist temple non-fund-raiser fund raisers need be held, and documented on official schedules, to move the former Dade County state’s attorney to move off the dime and do her job?
Answer: NONE.
In the waning days of the first Clinton term, word leaked throughout Washington that the president was not "pleased" with the attorney general. Janet Reno was apoplectic at the news, desiring reappointment for another term as the nation’s first female attorney general. Reno, through her top deputies (read: political operatives) sent word back to the White House that she would play ball and do whatever it took to stay on board.
Result: RENO REAPPOINTED.
When word first surfaced that the vice president was being investigated for possible numerous violations of federal election law, panic set in at the White House. "This must be stopped and stopped now!" they excitedly shouted. "No problem," came the confident reply, "we have good old Janet in our pockets!" And so the stonewall to protect the clumsy Al Gore began.
Bottom line: RENO’S JUSTICE TO INVESTIGATE.
Both the FBI and Reno-designated special investigator Charles LaBella undertake exhaustive inquiries into the conduct of the vice president involving his fund-raising activities, especially during the 1996 presidential campaign. Both agencies return reports recommending, based on overwhelming credible evidence, that a special prosecutor be appointed. Voluminous documentation is forwarded to Janet Reno advocating that action be taken.
Decision: RENO FINDS NO CREDIBLE EVIDENCE.
Internal Justice Department inquiries continue; Reno stonewalls Congress on memos; House committee questions Freeh and LaBella; partial excerpts of reports are released; more public questions raised; Reno promises a full and complete investigation to determine, yet again, if credible evidence exists to warrant a special investigator. Time passes. More time passes.
Conclusion: NO RENO INVESTIGATION.
More evidence is disclosed; more questions are raised; DOJ smirks become more difficult to conceal; investigation supposedly continues once again. No comment. No comment. No comment. Departmental inquiry continues. Finally, the department review is apparently concluded.
Status: RENO INQUIRY QUASHED.
With no justification, no exculpatory proof and no compelling investigative authority, Janet Reno fulfills her pact with the devil and refuses to move forward with the Gore investigation. Top aides at the White House and DOJ stop trying to conceal their smirks and openly grin from ear to ear, reveling in having once again dodged a major bullet by forcing Reno to do their bidding.
Endnote: RENO TAKES ANOTHER DIVE.
Reno issues urgent reprieve to Junior Gore – sparing him and the White House any politically embarrassing legal problems before Election Day 2000. Not too bad for a pair of spineless liberals who care not about right and wrong, but – like all liberals – are concerned only with winning at all costs.
Reno/Gore response: THE DEVIL MADE US DO IT. |
