| OCR Text |
Show The Salt Lake Tribune NATION Al4 Sunday, May7, 2000 Public Opinion, Politics Prompt House Republicans to Skip Hearings on Elian THE ASSOCIATED PRESS hearings into the Elian Gonzalez case, a tially wanted hearings “into the Clinton- turnaboutfor a party whose other productions showcased Ruby Ridge, campaign finance and impeachment. There are dissenters, among them Reps. Bob Barr of Georgia and John Doolittle of California. Both spoke up at a recent pri- Gore Justice Department's tactics and re- the House Judiciary Committee, to conduct an inquiry as thebasis for a written others are united in expressing disgust at the Immigration and Naturalization Ser- of armed INSagents take the boy. He considered the episode un-American, the participants said. Butother factors are at work. In the midst of a fierce election-year battle to hold the House, many Republicans profess optimism about recent polling. Some argue hearings would be a distraction from a core GOP message thatincludes cutting taxes while protecting the Social Security surplus. vate meeting to urge hearings into last report. vice operation that reunited the boy with his father. Father and son remain ata se- “What we should be talking aboutis, “Webalanced the budget, and we reformed cluded retreat in Maryland. welfare.’ That’s what we should be holding hearings on,” said Rep. James Walsh, a New Yorker who also spoke up at last week's GOP caucus. wedon't have hearings on this we're going to. give our stamp of approval,” Doolittle WASHINGTON— Politics, public opin- said in an interview. ion and wariness aboutpast investigations are prompting House Republicans to skip But Speaker Dennis Hastert, who ini- sponse” in the case, told fellow Republicans heno longer feels that way. Instead, heis asking Rep. Henry Hyde, chairman of month’s predawn raid by armed government agents who took the boy from the “T’m notplanning hearings now,” Hyde, R-IL, said late last week. “I’m saying there homeof Miamirelatives. could be.” “We've hada very egregious violation of fundamental constitutional rights, and if where GOP leaders backed away from plans for full-fledged hearings after airing the issue privately. Several sources said word had been relayed to George W. Bush’s presidential campaign thatthere will be no high-profile effort that might turn attention away from theparty's principal goal, whichis winning the White House. In the House, Hyde, Hastert, Barr and Hastert said at the closed meeting ofthe rank andfile, according to several partici- Or perhapsnot. Thesituation is similar in the Senate, pants,that he was horrified to see pictures Others note that polls indicate the public generally feels the issue is essentially a custody fight and that 6-year-old Elian should be with his father. Some Republicans said they fear hearings could appear to place the GOP ontheotherside, particularly given the strong feeling many conservatives that nothing justifies sending the boy back to Fidel Castro’s commu- nist Cuba. “] talked to a lot of people at home during the break, who told me he should be with his father, and we oughtto stay out of the issue,” said Rep. Howard McKeon, R- Calif., who spoke on the issue at the weekly GOP.‘whips meeting last week. In addition, he said, “We have not seemed to do very well at hearings... . That could be a risk.” Ciba mY Save 25%-60% PMAevita@ ot)ea Crs 10 Year Written Warranty Sey Picasso e oe REUPHOLSTER' ioaY ES: SLIDES & PHOTOS TRANSFERRED TO VIDEO sq™ Feneeeee TRANSFER FT) advice and encouragementall these| years, We alll love you very much. brate their 50th Wedding Anniversary at an open housein their honor on Saturday, May 13, 2000 from 2 to 4 p.m, atthe Winder Fourth Ward, 950 East \8825 South. (No Gifts Please) Cee = internet go to mastercraftcarpet.com Seum USC RLCCT Dm & Sieur It comes back to you better than new! COME Ci OCCmsteemmetcm ert| Quality Oh ES MASTERCRAFT <! IVA. 1 3 ES video To coHURRY! Weoffer MPEG, Quicktis ime, AVI Video formats on CD Rom. $25 perfini ished minute. Mention this ad & we'll waive the set up fee! BMM + Super 8 MM + 16 MM + ‘Slides * Photos $60" ea 100 Saris OR SLIDES TRANSFER Minimum order $24.95 Transfer does notinclude tape ARROW AMERICA VIDEO 2700 So. State 484-2333 oeesat |G: TOOELE, PARK CITY, OGDEN. NEVADA & WYOMING Phillip C. Hoopes, M.D. Announcing the opening of HoopesVision Correction Center Now Accepting New Patients “gS Specializing in Laser Vision Correction (LASIK), no-stitch cataract surgery, HO OPES glaucoma, consultations and second opinions. eed Pe) Vision Correction Center 877-30-LASIK Office Hours: 8:00am to 5:00pm Mondaythrough Friday (041300-05 Laer Laser Surgery appointment alo avaiable evenings 8 Saturdays by appointment 801-568-0200 One Sandy Center 10011 S. Centennial Parkway *Suite 400, in Sandy Sessa Day 3 al * Jorn THE DiLLarp’s TEAM! Dillards.com for great or check your local Dillard's store location. Equal Opportunity Employer ‘Shop Monday-Saturday 10-9 and Sunday 12-6 at all Dillard's locations. Jn Salt Lake City: Fashion Place and South Towne Center. in Ogden: Newgate Mall. in Provo: Provo Towne Centre. We weicome your Dillard's Credit Card, The American Express* Card, Diners Club Intemational, Mastercard? Visa* and The Discover Card. Easy Freeway Access 485-7000 2895 So WestTemple |
