By law, such ads are not supposed to advocate a candidate's election. Similar charges have been leveled by Republicans at Clinton's campaign and the Democratic Party. The White House said it would have no comment. Since no improprieties have been attributed to Senator Dole, it is hard to see how his appearance before the committee would be relevant - although it might be enjoyable. This week, Senate Democrats produced documents turned over by Dole's campaign showing that GOP deputy finance director Jo-Anne Coe forwarded checks from big donors to special interest groups allied with Republican causes, such as the National Right to Life Committee and Americans for Tax Reform.
Federal law prohibits coordination between a political party and interest groups.
Clark said Dole's letter was hand-delivered to Thompson in the Senate's Republican cloakroom. Both donations came from businessman Carl Lindner, according to the memo. Thompson, meanwhile, said the committee would question Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt to explain why his agency rejected an Indian gambling casino proposal opposed by a Democratic fund-raiser. Thompson said the Senate panel would hear testimony about the Interior Department's 1995 rejection of the casino proposed by three Wisconsin bands of Chippewa Indians, who have charged that the Clinton administration bowed to improper political pressure. Thompson complained that the White House had not provided all documents about its contacts with the Interior Department until this week.