The legendary Clinton White House smear team are in overdrive:
Rivera Slur on Hale Stirs Up a Storm
AP Via Foxnews.com
Democratic Clinton critic blames White House for slur
7.40 p.m. ET (2340 GMT) August 26, 1998
By Anick Jesdanun, Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) - Rep. Paul McHale, the first Democratic member of Congress to publicly call for President Clinton's resignation, blamed the White House Wednesday for an inaccurate broadcast report about his military honors.
Geraldo Rivera made an on-air apology Tuesday for suggesting on his CNBC show the previous evening that the Pennsylvania congressman took credit for medals he never received. Rivera said he had received a call from a "source very close to President Clinton.''
McHale called Rivera's unnamed source "a loose cannon on deck who was desperately trying to defend the president no matter how dishonorable.''
"This is a pretty consistent response we've seen from this White House whenever anyone raises criticism,'' McHale said. "This loose cannon ... confirms some of our most serious concerns, that this administration does not have a commitment to truth.''
Presidential spokesman Joe Lockhart said the White House "can't control some jerk outside the building who purports to speak for the president.'' He said a member of the White House legislative affairs staff called McHale Wednesday to clear up any misunderstandings.
"Anyone who questions the integrity of Congressman McHale is no friend of the president,'' Lockhart said. "While we disagree with Congressman McHale's assessment of the current situation, no one questions his integrity, character or deep commitment to his constituents.''
McHale, who is not seeking re-election to a fourth term, called on Clinton to "resign or face impeachment'' following the president's admission last week that he misled the public in the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
During Monday's "Rivera Live'' on the CNBC cable network, Rivera said McHale was a Bronze Star winner and "maybe he claimed to something even more honorable than that. So are any of us without sin?''
McHale, a Marine Corps reservist who served in the Gulf War, never won the Bronze Star or any higher award, but said he never claimed he had. His official military biography lists other awards and distinctions of lesser stature.
During his 1992 bid for Congress, McHale disputed allegations that he overstated his military accomplishments, and nearly 100 Marines responded to support McHale and verify his role in military operations.
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