Blumenthal Apologizes After Polemic Remark at IOP

White House Aide Sidney Blumenthal issued an apology Friday for remarks made during his April address at the ARCO forum at the Institute of Politics (IOP).

In the speech, Blumenthal called Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr's deputy Hickman W. Ewing a "religious fanatic." Blumenthal's comment prompted an outcry from numerous Capitol Hill Republicans.

Rep. Thomas J. Bliley (R-Va.) sent a letter to President Clinton demanding an apology. The letter was signed by more than 50 House Republicans, including Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), Majority Leader Richard K. Armey (R-Tex.) and Majority Whip Tom Delay (R-Tex.).

In the letter, GOP members of congress said "such comments are repugnant to the notion of religious freedom," and they asked Clinton to repudiate Blumenthal's remarks.

"People who work for you should exhibit at least average sensitivity on this important matter," the letter said.

Gary L. Bauer, president of the Family Research Council, and another recent ARCO speaker, went further, demanding Clinton fire Blumenthal.

"We would not allow a presidential aide to so slander the beliefs of Catholics or Jews," Bauer wrote in a letter to the president. "We would not permit racially insensitive remarks. It must be no different when the targets of bigotry are evangelical Christians."

Blumenthal said his remarks were based on a New Yorker article. The article suggested that Ewing prosecutes "with a presumption of guilt" and believes religion is a motivating factor in his life. It also described Ewing as a "born-again" Christian who prays daily and does not drink.

While Clinton has not taken any public action against his aide, Blumenthal apparently responded to the pressure. Flanked by White House counsel, he offered an apology last Friday before the Washington press corps.

"I did not intend to offend Mr. Ewing's or anyone else's personal religious beliefs and I regret if anyone feels offended," Blumenthal told reporters.

Representatives from the White House Counsel's office further clarified Blumenthal's comments.

"The chief of staff and Mr. Blumenthal agree that the term 'religious' should not be used in this way," said Jim Kennedy, a spokesperson for the White House counsel.

But Kennedy said Bliley's letter was "obviouslymotivated by a desire to gain partisan politicaladvantage."

Clinton himself refused to comment onBlumenthal's remarks and White House spokespersonMichael McCurry said the President is standing byhis aide.

McCurry did say, however, that the president"would not want to cast aspersions on thereligious beliefs of anybody."

Michael J. Passante '99, president of theHarvard College Democrats, offered support forBlumenthal's apology, although he said he did nothave any opinion on whether or not an apology wascalled for.

"If he felt it was proper to apologize then hedid the right thing," Passante said.

Bliley, however, is still not satisfied.

"The congressman is going to pursue this untilPresident Clinton repudiates Sidney Blumenthal'sintolerant remarks," a spokesperson for Bliley'soffice told The Crimson.

Bliley said the President asks for religioustolerance from the American people, "But not fromhis White House staff."

Blumenthal's speech at Harvard was co-sponsoredby the Shorenstein Center for Press and Politicsand the IOP. Shorenstein officials refused tocomment on the reaction Blumenthal's speech. IOPofficials did not return phone calls yesterday

But Kennedy said Bliley's letter was "obviouslymotivated by a desire to gain partisan politicaladvantage."

Clinton himself refused to comment onBlumenthal's remarks and White House spokespersonMichael McCurry said the President is standing byhis aide.

McCurry did say, however, that the president"would not want to cast aspersions on thereligious beliefs of anybody."

Michael J. Passante '99, president of theHarvard College Democrats, offered support forBlumenthal's apology, although he said he did nothave any opinion on whether or not an apology wascalled for.

"If he felt it was proper to apologize then hedid the right thing," Passante said.

Bliley, however, is still not satisfied.

"The congressman is going to pursue this untilPresident Clinton repudiates Sidney Blumenthal'sintolerant remarks," a spokesperson for Bliley'soffice told The Crimson.

Bliley said the President asks for religioustolerance from the American people, "But not fromhis White House staff."

Blumenthal's speech at Harvard was co-sponsoredby the Shorenstein Center for Press and Politicsand the IOP. Shorenstein officials refused tocomment on the reaction Blumenthal's speech. IOPofficials did not return phone calls yesterday