During sometimes-pointed questioning from Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, Reno insisted several times Tuesday that she cannot comment on any pending investigation. Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Tuesday that the probe has taken too long and yielded too little. Committee Republicans have pressed her about why she has turned aside earlier recommendations by Justice Department lawyers and FBI Director Louis Freeh for appointment of a special prosecutor. In the April interview with Conrad, Gore vehemently denied any knowledge that his 1996 appearance at a California Buddhist temple was a fund-raiser.
Federal law prohibits such events at religious institutions because of their tax exempt status.
Reno was said to have been angered by last week's disclosure, and has launched an internal review to determine just how that happened. Sen. Arlen Specter Gore advisers have suggested the news was leaked in an attempt to force Reno to name a special counsel during the presidential campaign. Specter, who revealed Conrad's recommendation last week, bristled at that suggestion Tuesday. Despite Specter's indignation, Gore spokesman Chris Lehane continued that line of attack Tuesday. It's clear for all to see that this constitutes Republican political skullduggery, GOP chicanery and Republican dirty tricks.