Lott Urges Starr to ‘Show His Cards’ or End Probe

Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) called on independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr on Friday to quickly wrap up his investigation and suggested that Congress could consider censuring President Clinton for his conduct if there is not evidence to impeach him.

In remarks illustrating the unease among Republicans with the Monica S. Lewinsky matter, Lott defended Starr against what he deemed “totally uncalled for” attacks from the White House but also urged the prosecutor to disclose whatever evidence he has of any crimes.

“He has had enough time, and it’s time to show his cards,” Lott said in an interview recorded Friday for broadcast today on CNN’s “Evans & Novak.”

“If he’s got something, go forward with it,” Lott said. “He needs to wrap it up, show us what he’s got, indict, convict people. Or if he doesn’t, close it out.”

The White House took heart in Lott’s assessment that Starr must conclude soon. “Sen. Lott is acknowledging what the American people realized a while ago--that it’s time to wrap this up, that it’s been a four-year, $40-million investigation with no end in sight,” said White House spokesman Joe Lockhart.

With Clinton’s approval ratings still sky high even as the investigation lumbers on, Republicans have been quarreling among themselves over how to respond. Congressional leaders largely have taken a cautious tack, trying not to appear to pile on, while dissident activists and potential presidential candidates have argued for a more confrontational approach condemning the president for what they consider his moral failings.

Polls have shown that, based on what they know so far, many Americans are not willing to have Clinton thrown out of office, leaving many GOP lawmakers with little stomach for impeachment proceedings. Lott’s comments offered a middle ground if no more damning evidence emerges.

He suggested Congress could approve a resolution of censure as a “lesser option,” a move that experts said has no constitutional basis or modern historical precedent. In the Capitol, censure typically is used as a means of internal discipline, but Congress has no power to impose any punishment on the president other than impeachment. A nonbinding resolution could, however, offer a powerful political statement that would allow Congress to address the issue without flying in the face of public opinion.