GOP leader urges pardon of Clinton

nsnews report

Sen. Orrin Hatch

WASHINGTON - The Senate Judiciary Committee's top Republican suggested yesterday that President-elect Bush pardon President Clinton - whether he is indicted or not - to "end a problem in America that needs to be ended."

The independent counsel investigating Clinton's conduct in the Monica Lewinsky scandal has said a decision to prosecute will come "very shortly" after Clinton leaves office Jan. 20.

"I would do that ... just end the whole thing," Sen. Orrin Hatch said on "Fox News Sunday. "I would pardon him," the Utah Republican responded when asked if he would do so whether Clinton was indicted or not.

"I think it's time to put this to bed. It's time to let President Clinton fade into whatever he's going to fade into, and I just don't see keeping it alive any longer, and I don't think there's a jury in America that is going to convict President Clinton," said Hatch, who returns as Judiciary Committee chairman when Bush is sworn in on Jan. 20.

"I can't tell President-elect Bush what to do and he has every reason not to do that, but I think it would end a problem in America that needs to be ended," Hatch said.

On CNN's "Late Edition," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said, "I don't know what he would be pardoning him for, unless the independent counsel brings up charges."

A Bush spokesman did not immediately return a message yesterday.

Spokesman Ari Fleischer, should have noted that President Clinton did not require a presidential pardon, it was Richard Nixon who desperately required a presidential pardon.

At Independent Counsel Robert Ray's request, a federal grand jury in Washington has been hearing evidence against Clinton.

The Republicans are supposed to be taking care of the country, not targeting their enemies.

  

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