Updated: May 14 1998 9:15AM

Burton: Staying power. KARIN COOPER/AP

Bad news for Burton-bashers: The pit bull's still with us. A bid to oust the outspoken Indiana Republican failed Wednesday when Burton used his power as chairman of the House committee on governmental reform and oversight to quash ranking Democrat Henry Waxman's motion. And despite Waxman's vow to take it to the floor of the House, it looks as if Burton has finally weathered the storm over his recent editing of the Web Hubbell tapes. One small success for the Democrats: They managed to block Burton's attempt to give immunity to four potential committee witnesses, whom Chairman Dan believes possess key knowledge of illegal foreign donations to the Clinton campaign. Now Newt Gingrich will transfer the immunity issue to a GOP-dominated committee -- and Burton lives to shoot pumpkins another day.

-- Chris Taylor