Fool on the Hill

Bring Me the Head of Dan Burton: Gephardt has given a name to his pain, and it is Burton. DOUG MILLS/AP

For Democrats, this is lush pickings. Minority Leader Dick Gephardt is screaming for Burton's head and tossing a few grenades at Gingrich for good measure. But Burton is one pumpkin-slayer who's not going anywhere. "The Republicans will rally around Burton as long as the Democrats are having such a field day," says TIME Congressional correspondent James Carney. "Whenever it becomes 'us vs. them', they unify." And forget about the 1998 elections. Burton not only hails from Indiana's solidly conservative 6th district but is a compulsive fundraiser with the House's fifth-largest war chest. And his Democratic opponent? A convicted felon running on an anti-crime platform. Yes, Dan Burton will be around for a while.

"There are two ways they can stop this investigation," he told the National Journal. "They can shoot me, or they can come up with some bogus charge to try and indict me to get me off the case. Other than that, we're going to push it and push it and push it Till the bloody end."

'We're Going to Push It Till the Bloody End': Burton. KARIN COOPER/AP

There's no doubt that Burton, who at 13 faced down his abusive father with a shotgun, is a fighter. Equally indisputable is that warts and all, this hunter of the President believes absolutely in the guilt of his quarry. Dan Burton proudly describes himself as a "pit bull." Republicans just wish he would foam a little less at the mouth.

--Frank Pellegrini