Rep. Burton Applauded After Confession

Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.) pleaded for voter support Saturday, a day after the man who questioned President Clinton’s integrity admitted that he fathered a child in an extramarital affair.

He drew a standing ovation from about 100 supporters gathered at a fire station for his first public appearance since his admission.

“If you choose to keep me around for a while, I’ll try not to let you down,” Burton said.

He then deflected attention to his investigation of President Clinton.

Burton said the House committee he chairs will complete an interim report before Congress adjourns in mid-October.

“We will get to the bottom of this scandal, and we will get it out to the American people, no matter how long it takes,” he said.

The conservative Republican acknowledged the affair in a statement Friday after days of pressure from media outlets who had been trying to interview the woman and their teenage son.

Burton said he wanted to take full criticism and deflect attention from the two families.

The relationship occurred while Burton was serving in the state Senate and the woman was working for a state agency.

Neither Burton nor the Indianapolis Star and News, which reported his admissions, disclosed the names of the woman or her son.

The boy’s birth certificate does not list a father, and he has a different last name, the Star reported.