| Printed from JudicialWatch.org Oct 6, 1999 |
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Some Major Candidates 'Whistle By The Graveyard' of Chinagate and Other Public Corruption Issues (Washington, D.C.) Judicial Watch, a not-for-profit law firm that exposes and prosecutes government corruption, noted that the lack of discussion of this issue in the current presidential campaign. Judicial Watch said the best way to address the disdain that most Americans rightly have for Washington is for the major candidates to forthrightly address the corruption that is endemic to both major political parties, and in government. "Except for Judicial Watch, few are talking about the fact that this town is run by the most corrupt president in American history. Isn't it an important public policy issue whether an U.S. President took bribes from Chinese communists in exchange for special policy favors? Have we so quickly forgotten Clinton's perjury, witness intimidation, and obstruction of justice? Or his other outrages such as Filegate and the misuse of the IRS to audit his political enemies. The virtual silence from the major candidates on this issue is deafening," stated Larry Klayman, Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel. Judicial Watch has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Loral shareholders against Vice President Al Gore over his alleged role in selling seats on Commerce Department trade missions in exchange for campaign contributions. One of these taxpayer-financed trade missions went to China and involved many of the individuals and companies now embroiled in the Chinagate scandal. Judicial Watch was told by Senator John McCain that he thinks Republicans are uninterested in Chinagate because many Republican donors themselves are involved in this bribery scheme. "The presidential candidates and other national leaders should address the problem of corruption head-on, without fear of being labeled 'negative.' To hold politicians and others accountable for public corruption is both positive and honorable and would do wonders for our nation's public life," concluded Klayman. | |