What About Whitewater?
Commentary by Phil Valentine  / September 14, 1998

There are a lot of us who are excited that the Starr Report is finally here yet disappointed that no details of Whitewater, Travelgate or Filegate are included within. The White House propaganda machine has noticed too. They've tried to steer attention away from what the report packs and divert that attention to what it lacks. However, if one reads the report there is a logical explanation. Starr cites a statutory command of the Independent Counsel law which he interprets to mean that he has a duty to release "a significant body of substantial and credible information" even if the other phases of the investigation are not complete. Having concluded the Monica Lewinsky phase the Office of the Independent Counsel felt it "unwise" to delay its release until the entire investigation was complete. He also notes that "all phases of the investigation are now nearing completion."

I have a sneaking suspicion that the OIC may have bigger plans. There is much debate as to whether or not the President can be charged with a crime after he has been impeached for that particular crime. Double jeopardy and other legal entanglements may impede, if not prohibit, the Independent Counsel from pursuing the matter after an impeachment. However, if the President is impeached over the Monica Lewinsky matter and even pardoned by Spotted Al it's possible that he could be jailed for his alleged offenses in Whitewater, Travelgate and Filegate if those charges are filed after he leaves office. Perhaps Ken Starr wants to avoid the same frustration the nation endured after Watergate of watching Nixon walk away scot-free. Keep in mind that the grand juries are still operating and it appears that Ken Starr is far from finished with this president.