BY DAVID ESPO
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- House Speaker Newt Gingrich rejected a time limit for a looming impeachment inquiry and suggested President Clinton speed the process by having reluctant aides answer grand jury questions. In a swift rebuttal, presidential spokesman Mike McCurry said Mr. Gingrich, the leader of House Republicans, will bear the blame for a process that could "drag on and on and on endlessly" in defiance of the public's wishes.
Rep. Richard Gephardt of Missouri, the House Democratic leader, said, "This does not need to take eight or nine months, as it did during the Watergate period."
The volleys from opposite ends of Pennsylvania Avenue underscored the hardening of partisan lines, even as both sides professed to favor a cooperative approach.
Rep. Tom DeLay of Texas, the Republican whip, told reporters, "There's a decision that we're going to stay the course, and there's no room for any deals" with Mr. Clinton.
Republican officials said the Judiciary Committee would probably meet next Thursday to hear senior lawyers lay out the evidence. The full House would vote for a formal impeachment inquiry before lawmakers adjourn in early October, and hearings would begin after the Nov. 3 election.
Several Republicans said GOP officials were considering allowing the Judiciary Committee to enlarge its inquiry into areas like alleged campaign fund-raising violations.
Democrats served notice they would vigorously contest any expansion of the case.
