Silent witness - campaign finance investigation of Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt

Washington Monthly, Dec, 1997 by Samuel Seidel

Considering how inconvenient Anderson's statement would have proven for Republicans peddling the Babbitt-Ickes conspiracy theory, it's no surprise that Anderson was never called before the committee -- despite an appeal by the minority staff for his testimony. It also sheds light on why Skibine's testimony was of absolutely interest to Republican investigators.

Nonetheless, Skibine was without doubt the key figure in this little drama -- as Babbitt made clear in his testimony. Too bad the press and public seemed content to accept only the part of the story the Republicans fed them.