Pete Stark: “I really cannot resist, gentlemen. I think my colleagues are on pretty thin ice when they start talking about who is…”

“I really cannot resist, gentlemen. I think my colleagues are on pretty thin ice when they start talking about who is lying and who is hurting the American people. I remember when Secretary Schlesinger and Secretary Kissinger lied to this Congress and thousands of Americans died unnecessarily in Vietnam. Put that in your book against 238,000 bucks and see how you come out. I can remember when Nixon lied and we put him away. I can remember when Harding lied over an oil deal, by golly, and we put him away. So there is nothing partisan or unique about politicians stretching the truth. Our own Speaker may have very well been dealt with and have to pay some money or have other people pay it. Let us not get into whether all politicians never lie, ever lie, maybe lie, should not lie. I am willing to stipulate to my distinguished friends that Ira Magaziner did the wrong thing in spades. I would go further and say, I think he is kind of a nut. But my colleagues should be happy that he is still working for President Clinton. He will do more to help us inside the White House than if we put him in jail. So I say, why do we not stay ahead of the game? Let the guy in there.”