Joe Pitts: “in an editorial in today's Washington Post, we hear once again that the new Independent Counsel Robert Ray is serious…”

“in an editorial in today's Washington Post, we hear once again that the new Independent Counsel Robert Ray is serious about indicting the President after he leaves office. The Post says that, ``A plausible indictment of Mr. Clinton, who has never publicly acknowledged the extent of his wrongdoing, could surely be drawn.'' It goes on to say, ``Some opponents of impeachment argued during the congressional proceedings that Mr. Clinton's susceptibility to criminal prosecution after his term in office was a powerful reason not to remove him.'' And the Post editorial continues in talking about disbarment and a $90,000 fine, arguing in the end that Mr. Ray should exercise restraint. Mr. Speaker, to me there is a more important question. The Associated Press reported yesterday the administration announced that the President will not pardon himself. But if the Vice President is successful in his bid to succeed his boss, would he then turn around and pardon him? The real question is, will President Al Gore pardon President Bill Clinton? I think he owes it to the American people to explain.”