Death of American Virtue - Ken Gormley [524]
“His [Starr’s] testimony gave Democrats”: Henry J. Hyde, interview by author.
Ken Starr gathered up his papers: Schmidt and Weisskopf, Truth at Any Cost, 271.
he simply couldn’t continue to defend: Sam Dash, interview by author. According to Dash, Bob Bittman and Paul Rosenzweig urged him not to resign.
It was no secret: With Congress marching toward impeachment, Dash was receiving letters like one from lawyer Edward H. Weinberg of Great Neck, New York, who upbraided him for participating in Starr’s “reign of terror”: “I believe you have tarnished perhaps irreparably your standing with millions of Americans by reason of your connection with and role in Starr’s Witch Hunt” (Edward H. Weinberg to Samuel Dash, 18 Aug. 1998, Dash papers, box 1).
The Washington Post issued an editorial: “… And Mr. Dash’s Resignation,” Washington Post, 22 Nov. 1998.
“And so I told Ken”: Sam Dash, interview by author. See also Sam Dash, letter of resignation, Salon, 20 Nov. 1998.
As Starr put out the trash: “Starr Defends Testimony After Ethics Adviser Resigns,” CNN AllPolitics, 20 Nov. 1998; Sam Dash, interview by author. In a two-page written reply, Ken Starr took issue with his ethics adviser’s logic: “You suggest that by appearing, I harmed public confidence in the independence of the Office. With respect, I disagree with that. Indeed, had I chosen to refuse the invitation to testify, I believe that would have harmed public confidence in the Office. A refusal to appear would have suggested that we have something to hide, or that we are unwilling to defend and stand by the written referral.” Despite this disagreement, Starr concluded by telling his elder adviser: “Today’s developments will not alter my deep affection for you and profound appreciation for all you have done for us” (Kenneth W. Starr to Professor Sam Dash, 20 Nov. 1998, Dash papers, box 1).
“The country got a glimpse”: “A Real Starr,” Martinsburg (W.V.) Journal, 22 Nov. 1998, A10, Starr personal papers.
“You appeared as a knight”: Bonnie Shea to Kenneth Starr, 20 Nov. 1998; Ken Starr to Randy and Carolyn Starr, Nov. 30, 1998, Starr personal papers.
A seventeen-year-old from Los Angeles: Rachel Scherer to Judge Starr, and Ken Starr to Rachel Scherer, 30 Nov. 1998, Starr personal papers.
“Monsieur le Procureur General”: Monique Bach to Ken Starr, and Neille Mallon Russell to Monique Bach, 17 Dec. 1998, Starr personal papers.
“Sorry I haven’t checked in”: Ken Starr to mother, 16 Dec. 1998, Ken Starr personal papers.
“bubbling over with anticipatory”: Ken Starr to children, 8 Dec. 1998, Ken Starr personal papers.
“and if the Republicans choose a candidate”: Henry Ruth, “Clinton Has Corrupted His Party’s Soul,” Wall Street Journal, 8 Dec. 1998. Ruth was the third of four Watergate special prosecutors. He was preceded by Archibald Cox and Leon Jaworski, then succeeded by Charles Ruff.
Chapter 47: “Men of the Year”
acquitted Susan McDougal: Todd S. Purdon, “Clintons’ Friend Found Not Guilty of All 9 Embezzlement Charges,” New York Times, 24 Nov. 1998. Besides embezzlement charges, there were also counts relating to failure to pay income taxes.
The former Whitewater defendant: McDougal and Harris, The Woman Who Wouldn’t Talk, 329–48.
Already, Starr had filed: Purdon, “Clintons’ Friend.” See also Judy Bacharach, “Joan of Arkansas,” Vanity Fair, January 1999, 86.
“I AM A CHANGED PERSON”: Susan McDougal, letter to editor, undated, Susan McDougal papers.
“Every day I sat there”: Susan McDougal, interview by author.
Starr’s office had secured a third indictment: Indictment, United States v. Webster Hubbell et al., Criminal no. 98–0394, 13 Nov. 1998; Susan Schmidt, “Starr Brings Third Indictment Against Hubbell,” Washington Post, 14 Nov. 1998, A1.
The hulking former Justice Department official: Schmidt, “Starr Brings Third Indictment.”
were deadlocked: Paul Rosenzweig to “All Attorneys,” 23 Oct. 1998, Dash papers, box 62.
Confidential memos now confirm: Julie Myers to “All OIC Attorneys,” 25 Oct. 1998, Dash papers, box 62.