Intimidation Getting Clintons Nowhere
Spokane.net
July 17, 1998 D.F.Oliveria
Smitten Clinton fans believe Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr is out of control, a Torquemada hellbent on destroying their lovable lug.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Starr and his maligned prosecutors are the sheriff's posse chasing celluloid scofflaws Butch and Sundance. Slick Willie and Hillary haven't been able to shake Starr and his straight shooters no matter how many denials they make, appeals they file or stone walls they erect. Nor can Billary intimidate Sheriff Starr, a tactic that has proved so effective in dealing with bimbo eruptions, former pals and Arkansas troopers.
Our predator-in-chief finally has met his match.
Clinton knows he'll lose his public relations edge when Starr finally presents his case. At this point, he can only try to draw the investigation out beyond the November elections and hope the Democrats regain control of the House -- or that Americans won't be in the mood to impeach a lame duck president.
Contrary to White House spin, Starr's ongoing investigation isn't about sex and lies. In its latest incarnation, it's about perjury and obstruction of justice -- the centerpiece of Nixon's Watergate scandal. Conveniently, Clintonistas forget that Attorney General Janet Reno, a Clinton appointee, has expanded Starr's mandate three times since 1994, when he began investigating the Clintons' shady Whitewater dealings. It now covers Filegate, Travelgate and Monicagate. And Republicans are lobbying for it to include Asiagate I (the donors) and Asiagate II (the rockets).
The time and money spent on the investigation is no big deal. Lawrence Walsh's investigation of the Iran-Contra affair lasted eight years; a probe launched in 1990 into House and Urban Development scandals is still going on. As for cost, $40 million and counting, Clinton squandered that much by taking 1,000 people on his recent trip to China.
For years, Democrats used the special prosecutor law to rein-in Republican presidents. Now, the tables have turned. Someday, Congress will muster the courage to do away with the flawed law and resume responsibility for oversight of the executive branch. Until then, this country is fortunate to have someone as honorable, tenacious and courageous as Starr pursuing one of the most corrupt presidents in U.S. history.
freerepublic.com |
