Tapes Show Broader Role For Nixon
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Feb. 7) -- New tapes released by the Nixon Library show that, as president, Richard Nixon may have ordered his staff to conduct illegal surveillance of his political enemies. "Keep after 'em," Nixon tells then-chief of staff H.R. Haldeman in a taped conversation on May 28, 1971, referring to his Democratic opponents. "Maybe we can get a scandal on any, any of the leading Democrats." More than 200 hours of taped conversations have been provided by the library to the National Archive for research purposes. Former Senate Watergate counsel Samuel Dash told The Associated Press the tapes are further evidence that "Watergate was only one piece of a pervasive conduct of illegal activities."
Lake Campaigns For CIA Post
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Feb. 7) -- With Senate confirmation hearings set to begin Feb. 25, Anthony Lake, President Bill Clinton's embattled nominee to head the CIA, is conducting a quiet campaign to win approval. He has been visiting the agency daily, speaking with agents at all levels "just really trying to get to know the agency," Nancy Soderberg, Clinton's deputy assistant for national security, told The Associated Press. Lake has also met privately with each member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and has sought to make inroads with a cliquish group of former CIA officers. Having served as Clinton's national security advisor during the previous four years, Lake has come under GOP fire for his as-yet unclear role in the Clinton Administration's decision not to oppose Iranian arms shipments to Bosnia, and for holding onto private investments after being advised they posed a conflict of interest.
Hawaii Senate Passes Same-Sex Marriage Ban
HONOLULU (AllPolitics, Feb. 7) -- Hawaii's Senate has passed a resolution banning same-sex marriage, but some wonder if the measure would have the opposite result. Approved Thursday, the Senate's resolution asks Hawaii voters to give the state the right to approve only heterosexual marriage, but also contains language assuring that marriage laws can't discriminate on the basis of gender. "If anything, it will place a right to same-sex marriage in the Hawaii Constitution," Hawaii House Judiciary Committee Chairman Terrance Tom told The Associated Press. The Senate also approved a new law that gives gay and lesbian unions similar benefits to those of heterosexual couples. Hawaii's House has passed its own ban on same-sex marriages and the two legislative bodies must reconcile the differences in wording.