Lewinsky Controversy Has Some Conservative Groups Seeing Green

By John King/CNN

WASHINGTON (Feb. 10) -- Some conservative organizations are seeing green as President Bill Clinton deals with the Monica Lewinsky controversy.

The conservative group, Concerned Women for America, this week launched a new direct mail fund-raising campaign in which the organization's president says "scandal is always tragic" and asserts that with the nation opening a debate on morals and values, contributions are critical "for the sake of your family and for the future of our nation."

The Family Research Council says it has not mailed a Lewinsky-related fund-raising letter yet, but its leader's commentaries on the subject are posted on an Internet site that allows readers to click on a contributions icon and donate to the conservative group.

Sources in the Christian Coalition and other conservative groups say conservative activists contacted through telephone fund-raising phone banks often raise the Lewinsky controversy on their own.

And fund-raisers for Missouri Sen. John Ashcroft's Spirit of America political action committee say pledges are up significantly since Ashcroft took a lead role in urging Clinton to offer a detailed explanation of his relationship with Lewinsky. Ashcroft is traveling to several cities next week for fund-raisers and to test the waters for a 2000 presidential campaign.

Family Research Council President Gary Bauer told CNN he is considering a television ad campaign demanding that Clinton explain his relationship with Lewinsky. In a syndicated radio commentary prepared for delivery Friday, Bauer says: "The prospect that this scandal will continue unresolved for months and even years is unacceptable. The American people deserve nothing less than the truth. Our children are looking to your example. You can bring the controversy to a halt. You possess the full truth."

Tuesday February 10, 1998

• Lewinsky's Mother Appears Before Grand Jury
• Thompson's Panel Produces Dueling Draft Reports
• White House Scandal At A Glance
• Democrats Gather To Talk Strategy
• GOP Disagreements Delay Campaign Finance Report
• Lewinsky Controversy Has Some Conservative Groups Seeing Green
• Tipper Gore To Lead U.S. Olympic Delegation
• Satcher Confirmed As Surgeon General
• Clinton Hails Support Of Canada, Australia In Iraq Confrontation