KWAME HOLMAN: Even with Attorney General Janet Reno ready to testify before them, Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee didn’t bother to ask the question they most want answered: Will she request the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate President Clinton’s fund-raising related activities at the White House? Yesterday, Reno put off having to make that decision when she extended her preliminary investigation until at least the first week in December. But this morning Committee Chairman Henry Hyde made it clear from the start he thinks an independent counsel should be appointed.

REP. HENRY HYDE, Chairman, Judiciary Committee: I question her view that soft money is not covered under criminal law. I question her notion that the White House belongs to the President to use as he pleases. I find her belief that she has no conflict of interest frankly astounding. I’m not alone in believing her situation fairly bristles with conflicts of interest. The standard response that this matter is under investigation and that it cannot be discussed has some merit. And we don’t want to compromise any ongoing investigation, but at some point questions must be answered if only to build confidence that a rigorous investigation is underway and the justices are merely circling the wagons to defend the White House.

KWAME HOLMAN: Attorney General Reno has heard congressional Republicans repeat those criticisms for months, and she repeated the response she has given for months.