Congressional Democrats are 12 signature short of the one votes needed for a special prosecutor to examine the role of President Bush 's son Neil in the collapse of Silverado S&L after Rep. Neil withdrew his name. Neil says he never discussed S&L operations with his father, but old presidential friend and banking lobbyist Ashley called the president, who then requested Ashley to call Neil . Ashley, a former Democratic congressman from Ohio, said Friday, ``I've talked to the president (about his son's situation) on a couple of social occasions, when we're alone. Ashley denies he was asked, says he is not trying to serve as a go-between for Neil and the president, and says Ashley made up his own mind to fight the case and refuse to negotiate an out-of-court settlement.
Congressional Democrats are 12 signature short of the one votes needed for a special prosecutor to examine the role of President Bush 's son Neil in the collapse of Silverado S&L after Rep. Neil withdrew his name. Neil says he never discussed S&L operations with his father, but old presidential friend and banking lobbyist Ashley called the president, who then requested Ashley to call Neil . Ashley denies he was asked, says he is not trying to serve as a go-between for Neil and the president, and says Ashley made up his own mind to fight the case and refuse to negotiate an out-of-court settlement.