The Buck Stops Where?

Reno represents the latest refinement of this approach, though in her case it was probably unintentional. The key is the time lag between the event and the report. In April, as Reno was becoming a hero, it was arguably too early to answer specific questions (Why didn't the FBI listen to religious experts who said the Davidians would never surrender? Why was the tear-gas assault undertaken when the winds were high?). But by the time the investigation was completed, the press was bored with Waco and barely noticed that these and dozens of other legitimate questions went unaddressed. The only place that Reno herself is really taken to task is in a footnote. It turns out that she made what she later called "the toughest decision of my life" without fully informing herself. According to the footnote, she "did not read the prepared statement carefully, nor did she read the supporting documentation." But beyond that, the report goes out of its way to rationalize every action taken by every official every day.

Take heart, Les Aspin. The defense secretary certainly didn't get a Reno-like ride out of admitting that he erred in not sending armor to Somalia. But if Aspin can avoid being savaged in a congressional inquiry, he'll likely look forward to a Pentagon report that says no one made any real mistakes.

All of this confirms the importance of bringing back the independent counsel. Republicans in the Senate--still steamed over Lawrence Walsh's endless Iran-contra probe--are blocking efforts to renew the idea. That's politically silly of them; they have the most to gain from any administration scandals. Yes, the independent counsel's office should be restructured so that it doesn't feel so obliged to recommend criminal prosecution. But it's the only way to make sure that public officials match the image of accountability with the reality of it, even after the cameras are shut off.

© 1993