Funds sought after firings

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Democrats smell blood -- and campaign cash -- in the uproar over the Justice Department's firing of eight federal prosecutors last year.

"This could be George Bush's Watergate," Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean wrote in an e-mail soliciting campaign funds yesterday.

Senate Democrats said their investigation into the firings is intended to preserve independence for federal prosecutors and keep them from being used as political foot soldiers for the executive branch.

"Every single U.S. attorney has to have an objectivity and independence, and a willingness to pursue facts, wherever those facts lead them," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein, California Democrat. "My greatest worry about this whole episode is that it is having a chilling effect on the objectivity of U.S. attorneys all across this nation."

However, Republican senators, while unhappy with the Justice Department and the White House's bungled response to inquiries, charged Democrats with using the issue for political and financial gain.

Sen. Arlen Specter, Pennsylvania Republican, said Sen. Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, was using information gained in congressional inquiries he directed to attack Republicans through the Senate Democrats' fundraising arm, which Mr. Schumer chairs.

"I believe there is a conflict of interest between Senator Schumer's position as chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the leader of this inquiry," said Mr. Specter, the Judiciary Committee's top Republican.

Mr. Schumer rejected Mr. Specter's criticism during a low-key but tense exchange in a Senate Judiciary Committee session.

"I fail to see any conflict whatsoever," said Mr. Schumer, who chairs the Judiciary administrative oversight and the courts subcommittee, which last week interviewed four of the fired prosecutors.

Mr. Schumer said his investigation has focused "exclusively" on the Justice Department and the White House, and the Senate Select Committee on Ethics will handle any issues regarding lawmakers.