Mr. Giuliani spoke about the clemency issue twice yesterday.

The office also acts as liaison with the public for correspondence and informational inquiries about the clemency process or particular clemency issues, and maintains correspondence files relating to such inquiries.

The Rich pardon will be the subject of scrutiny in the Senate on Wednesday when Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, is scheduled to hold a judiciary subcommittee hearing on clemency issues.

As a result of statements by Mrs. Clinton on the clemency issue, she has come under attack both by Puerto Rican leaders in New York and groups that opposed the release of the prisoners.

I haven't discussed other clemency issues with her and I didn't think I should discuss this one.

Later in the program, James Carville spars with wife Mary Matalin over the clemency issue.

In pardons, commutations and clemency issues, the department and its agencies play only an advisory role.

On the clemency issue, Jay Severin, a Republican political consultant in New York, said: "This is Clinton calculus to a tee.

As counsel, Mr. Gonzales advised Governor Bush on clemency issues including death penalty cases.

He added: "I have not discussed other clemency issues with her, and I didn't think I should discuss this one."