Inouye: I Want Out of Torricelli Probe

NewsmMx.com ^ | 7/26/02 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

The evidence is piling up against Sen. Robert Torricelli, D-NJ, who's in the midst of a Senate Ethics Committee probe into his alleged bribe-taking.

In fact, it's getting so bad that the acting chairman of the Senate Ethics Committee announced yesterday that he wants out of the probe.

"I don't want to be on this committee any longer," complained a weary Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawaii.

Inouye expressed his frustration to the New York Times after his committee spent a grueling day reviewing new charges that the New Jersey Democrat may have lied to investigators when he denied taking bribes from contributor David Chang.

"A government official involved in the inquiry said the panel had received sales receipts, witness testimony and other corroboration of at least two such gifts," the Times said.

"All I can do is apologize for the errors in judgment and also make clear that rules were not violated," Torricelli told reporters yesterday. "There were never inappropriate gifts."

But Inouye's panel is now wrestling with convincing evidence that Chang purchased a $1,900 big screen TV and a $3,800 grandfather clock for Torricelli, who faces a tough reelection effort this fall.

If New Jersey Republican Doug Forrester manages to oust the scandal-scarred Democrat, he could win back control of the Senate for the GOP.

Chang says he lavished tens of thousands of dollars worth of cash and merchandise on Torricelli in exchange for help with the South Korean government in a business dispute.

He was jailed in May after pleading guilty to obstructing justice and making $53,700 in illegal contributions to Torricelli's 1996 Senate campaign, the Times said.

Among Sen. Inouye's growing headaches: the committee has testimony from U.S. diplomats and South Korean officials that Torricelli lobbied on behalf of Chang while meeting with them.

Chang has written to Inouye saying he wants to testify, complicating the acting chaiman's efforts to avoid calling additional witnesses.

The panel heard from Torricelli yesterday for three hours.

Inouye is filling in for Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who recused himself from the probe because of his close relationship with Torricelli.

The Justice Department abandoned its probe of Torricelli earlier this year after the office of the U.S. Attorney for New York's Southern District was forced to re-order its priorities in the wake of the 9-11 attack.

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:

DNC

[NormsRevenge]

Inouye is filling in for Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who recused himself from the probe because of his close relationship with Torricelli.

Harry Reid isn't a sweetheart in my book either . Who are his major contributors? I'd like an investigation of him and corzine. Hell. We all know what Joe is.

[SoDak]

He'll never leave the GOP. If he did that, he'd be just another face in the liberal crowd. It's his status as a so-called "maverick" that brings him his media exposure. The media love dissent in the GOP ranks.

[Consort]

Question to Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawaii: Why does Hawaii have interstate highways?

[Kay Soze]

What is it with Dems and their inability to recognize women as equals?

They're always molesting the women or drowning or choking...!

[gaspar]

Why would an honest Senator beg off of this assignment?

[Nam Vet]

An honest senator wouldn't.

Nam Vet

[Morgan in Denver]

I really don't know for sure but think the problem is in the basic mental attitude and approach to life Democrats exhibit. As Thomas Sowell has said and written, Democrats actually believe they are anointed, or at least their leadership believe it, and they are not held to the same standards as the rest of us. As a group, Democrats seem to not only lack character and ethics but they defend and protect any of their leaders from any criticism.

The Democrats put someone unqualified, Madeline Albright, in a position of power and were surprised when she could not do the job right. Another example, Jocelyn Elders was appointed by Clinton and her methods were so horrible that most conservatives went nuts on her decisions and positions. These same people then have the gall to question someone as qualified and experienced as Condoleezza Rice.

Republicans, caught doing something wrong or illegal, resign from elected office. We have seen that over and over. Democrats do not believe they should be held accountable under any conditions so they refuse to leave even when convicted of crimes or caught doing something wrong. Democrats believe the public will forget, or that enough time will pass that they can get away with anything they want to do. Sadly, this has proven to be true all too often.

As to women in particular, think about it. Democrats do not celebrate nor respect the individual. Only the group is paramount to Democratic politics. Therefore, any one individual is worthless to them as long as they are perceived as "caring" for the whole group. That's why a Paula Jones has no standing but feminism does.

[river rat]

I choke when I hear most of our "Senators" refer to each other as the "honorable gentleperson" from where-ever...
The Senate is the most exclusive club in the country - overwhelmingly attended by the most corrupt and inept clymers in the country.... Most could and should have been convicted of crimes.
How in the hell did this happen?
Semper Fi

[Robear]

The Bolsheviks had the same attitude.

[demlosers]

If Tori is tossed out, then McCain would probably jump to "Independent" to tip the scales back anyway.

That's fine with me! It would be good if the RINO show his true colors.

[willyone]

H3 is one pretty highway. Lets you see what Hawaii looked like a long time ago. Sure cost alot though. Nice view of Kaneohe in the picture.

[Morgan in Denver]

Now, THAT'S funny!!!

[cibco]

Your Post #27 is a good description of the Communist Party.

[demlosers]

Question to Sen. Dan Inouye, D-Hawaii: Why does Hawaii have interstate highways?

Oink! Oink!

[rudypoot]

Excellent post!

[GraniteStateConservative]

dead,
You're dead right. Besides McCain is moving up in seniority on the Armed Services Committee. Thurmond leaves and he'll be the vice-chair should the GOP gain control. He still has two years to serves as Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee chair should the GOP gain control before term limits keeps him from that post.

[Pagey]

"Democrats do not believe they should be held accountable under any conditions so they refuse to leave even when convicted of crimes or caught doing something wrong. Democrats believe the public will forget, or that enough time will pass that they can get away with anything they want to do".

"This can't be repeated enough" BUMP

[GraniteStateConservative]

I think the poster meant tossed out by the voters. Besides, the Senate won't be removing Torch unless he becomes a convicted felon-- which is unlikely.

[Morgan in Denver]

Democrats v. communism?

There are more similarities than differences, so I can't argue with your observation.

I hesitate in calling Democrats communists because it's inflammatory and their argument then becomes one of my using name calling against them. For that reason only, I usually refer to Democrats as socialistic or statist.

Democrats have many fascist aspects too. Their claiming to believe in freedom of speech but violently preventing conservatives from speaking at universities, as with David Horowitz, Ann Coulter and many others, is a good example of their professing to support freedom of speech but not allowing it when it's attempted. Another example is anything religious in schools, where Democrats would like to prevent anyone from anything religious. Congress' current attempts to regulate business is a prime example of their fascist tendencies. A company can be privately owned, but with Democrats the government should be allowed to control that company from production to delivery of goods and services.

One final example of fascism that comes to mind is what happened with campaign finance reform. A bad law was passed and two things have been reported these past few weeks. Hillary and many Democrats all met to figure ways of getting around their new law, and two, AZ Republican McCain attempted to get the election commission to make rules that were not in the law but things he believed he could impose on campaigns anyway. Luckily, he has failed so far.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Torch is on the ballot. Nothing will change the fact that Forrester only has to beat Torch (or some independent) to be the next senator from NJ. Just like Ashcroft, all he had to do was beat a dead guy and the whole issue of appointing Jean would have been moot.