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By Kent Larsen
Hatch Calls For Clinton Pardon
WASHINGTON, DC -- Speaking on the Sunday news program "Fox News Sunday,"
Utah Senator Orrin Hatch, an LDS Church member, called for President-elect
George W. Bush to pardon President Bill Clinton. The remarks were just the
latest in a series of conciliatory statements Hatch has made toward the
President.
"I think it's time to put this to bed," Hatch suggested on the program.
"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." When
asked what he would do in Bush's position, Hatch said, "I would pardon him."
Clinton is currently being investigated by a grand jury convened by special
prosecutor Robert Ray, the successor to Kenneth Star, the prosecutor who's
investigation led to Clinton's impeachment. Hatch would like to see Bush act
shortly after the inauguration, before Ray's grand jury can issue an
indictment.
However, visitor's to the Deseret News' website generally disagree with
Hatch, voting in a 'quick poll' on the website nearly two to one against
giving Clinton a pardon. Hatch made several statements calling for
forgiveness for the President, mainly at the time of the impeachment. He
said Clinton called him on his cell phone at that time, as he was on his way
to talk on the TV news program, "Face the Nation." "I talked a lot about
principles of redemption and what we need to do to get a life in order and
that there are consequences to our actions. I'm not stupid. I know he was
afraid I might go on that show and call for his resignation . . . but I
didn't mince any words with him (about repentance), and to the president's
credit, he took it."
Source:
Pardon Clinton, Hatch advises
Deseret News 8Jan01 T2
By Lee Davidson: Deseret News Washington correspondent
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