Leonard Peltier's chances for Presidential clemency got an unexpected boost on Election Day.

That morning, President Clinton dialed up Pacifica Radio wanting to talk on air about his man, Al Gore, Jr. The alert Amy Goodman, host of Pacifica's "Democracy Now," rushed on air with her impromptu presidential guest.

Somewhere during the conversation, Ms. Goodman asked the man with the magic pen about Peltier's petition for Executive Clemency.

Clinton responded that he had received the petition, and he saw strong arguments on both sides.

Leonard Peltier is serving a life sentence for the murder of an FBI agent during a shoot-out on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in 1975.

The reason why Native American activists, human rights lawyers, politicians, Amnesty International, Hollywood stars, and others, including the writer Peter Matthiesen (who wrote an excellent book, "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse," about the case), have spent the last quarter century fighting for the release of a convicted cop killer is because Peltier is innocent.

Subsequent court proceedings have determined that the FBI's affidavits for both the arrest warrant and the warrant for Leonard's extradition from Canada were bogus. The FBI has since admitted that they don't really know who shot the agent.

It's just that the FBI insists on always getting their man. Even if it is the wrong one. Especially if that man is a political troublemaker.

Now is the time to lobby Clinton for clemency. Call early, call often. Call the White House at 202-456-1111.

The Leonard Peltier Defense Committee has established a toll-free number for those who cannot afford the long distance tolls. That number is 1-877-561-1364.

For more info: www.freepeltier.org