Starr: Heading For the Hill

WASHINGTON: Ken Starr’s investigation has sprung another leak, and this time it’s a big one. Gushing out of the independent counsel’s office comes the news -- reported first in the Washington Post -- that large chunks of Starr’s report to the House are already written. Which makes for possible impeachment proceedings as early as the end of May.

What is Starr waiting for? Apparently, only the pending court decision on whether Monica Lewinsky gets immunity. Then the charges of presidential perjury in both Lewinsky and Whitewater affairs will make their way to the Hill, with all the speediness that the OIC law requires. One drawback for Starr: If he’s writing a quick-and-dirty report, many recently unearthed Whitewater memos may be passed over.

The White House counterattack: As the scribe of the right-wing conspiracy, Starr is in cahoots with Newt Gingrich and Dick Armey. “At the rate we’re going,” said Clinton adviser Rahm Emanuel, “I would not be surprised if the Speaker and majority leader are being e-mailed each chapter from the office of the independent counsel.” And Matt Drudge would be CC-ed on those messages, no doubt.