The Justice Department has taken on a tricky but entirely justified job of examining whether e-mail records regarding campaign funding raising had been suppressed by the White House. But in going forward with this search in the middle of a presidential race, Justice also has an obligation to be swift and decisive.

Republicans have accused the White House of concealing the electronic files, which had been sought by Congress, the Independent Counsel’s office and the Justice Department. The White House’s excuse that the messages were lost during a computer glitch isn’t particularly persuasive, especially given the statements by two employees of Northrupt Grumman, which was hired to maintain the computer system. The employees testified that they had been threatened with jail by officials at the White House if they disclosed that the glitch made it nearly impossible to retrieve the documents.

The criminal investigation already has had an effect on the presidential campaign, with Gov. George W. Bush commenting Thursday that, “This is a White House that needs to let the sunshine in when it comes to campaign funding allegations.” He maybe right, but it would be preferable for Justice to do its investigation before candidates draw conclusions, particularly in light of the fact that there is as yet no clear connection between the vice president’s missing e-mails and any action taken by or at the behest of Al Gore.

Gov. Bush might be forgiven, however, for drawing some conclusions even as the investigation begins. Travelgate, filegate, extreme fund raising, the Lewinsky scandal, etc., could cause anyone to say, “There they go again.” Indeed, the initial reluctance of forthrightness by White House officials immediately causes one to lump this potential mess in with the other Clinton administration abuses that began with denials.

That’s why it is imperative for Justice to come to some conclusion in its investigation quickly. And it should say clearly who was involved, so that the vice president’s record is well understood, and the blame, if any, accurately targeted.