Whatever Newt does, do the opposite
June 4, 2007 at 11:34 am by David Lee Simmons in NewsWhile I think it’s pretty accepted in political history that the Republicans’ takeover of Congress in 1994 (thanks to Bill Clinton’s missteps, Newt Gingrich’s belligerence and that catchy “Contract With America†gimmick) is a lesson in political hubris, it’s nice to revisit the good old days.
Interestingly enough, Rich Galen, Gingrich’s former communications director, offers up a nice look back in Salon at the takeover, which preceded the disastrous showdown with Clinton over Medicaid and the subsequent government shutdown in 1995. He uses this overview as a lesson for the Democrats as they try to take advantage of their regaining control of Congress after the 2006 elections. It’s informative stuff, including this little trinket…
The decision of congressional Democrats to surrender on the matter of a withdrawal date in order to get an Iraq funding bill that President Bush would actually sign is yet another example of a canon of life in Washington: The White House controls the legislative process in 2007 just as it has for more than 70 years, since FDR reversed the flow of power from one end of Pennsylvania Avenue to the other.
Galen concedes the parallels are not exact, but the point is made: If you’re going to dictate the agenda, you’d better have the power to actually do so.
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