Looking In Dan Burton's Closet

The Indiana congressman who called President Clinton a "scumbag" is warning constituents that a national magazine is planning to run a "scandal story" about his private life. He claims the president's supporters are behind it.

Rep. Dan Burton said a writer from Vanity Fair spent seven weeks in Indiana talking to more than 200 of his friends and associates.

The White House denies influencing any articles or encouraging reporters to investigate Burton's family life. Said Beth Kseniak, a spokeswoman for Vanity Fair: "It's totally ludicrous that the White House would orchestrate any story in Vanity Fair."

Burton, 60, has been one of President Clinton's harshest critics and has been looking into the president's fund-raising practices. Monday, Burton acknowledged that his marriage has been rocky, and he apologized in advance of the article's publication.

"I have been married 38 years and separated three times," Burton told CBS News. "Once, we almost got divorced. Like anybody else, we have had our ups and downs. But things are all right."

Along with Vanity Fair, The Indianapolis Star and several other news organizations have been investigating reports that Burton has had relationships with women outside his marriage, the Star reported Tuesday.

"Now I want to tell you: If something comes out, that you read about, that you think Danny shouldn't have done, I will own up to it," Burton said. "I won't lie about it. I will tell the truth."

Joe Andrew, chairman of the Indiana Democratic Party, said that any digging into Burton's life is the natural consequence of Burton calling Mr. Clinton names.

"You can't call the president a 'scumbag' and not think people will want to see who this person is," Andrew said.
After Burton made the "scumbag" comment, the congressman admitted to a poor choice of words but didn't back off, saying he didn't believe President Clinton is "a man of integrity."