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By Paul M. Weyrich
May 01, 2008
Representative Roy Blunt (R-MO), the Minority Whip in the House of Representatives, says the Majority Party has nothing to do. In the House the Minority Party cannot initiate much legislation. Mainly it keys off of the initiatives of the Majority Party. When the party in control has little or nothing to do, it puts the Minority Party in a bind. What can be done?
The Minority Party has assets. It has new leadership. Many of those who are retiring are older and tired. They are likely to be replaced by younger, aggressive leaders with fresh ideas. So unless the Democrats engineer a Lyndon B. Johnson-style landslide these candidates are likely to come to Washington. As Blunt has said, he would rather have an aggressive, young candidate who has no voting record for the open seats as opposed to an old, tired incumbent who must defend 17,000 votes.
So what is missing here? The answer is Newt Gingrich. Putting aside any problem which occurred while he was Speaker of the House, leading up to the 1994 election Gingrich performed brilliantly. His “Contract With America” helped candidates focus upon important issues. The issues he put forth had strong support throughout the country.
Moreover, he did not promise that if elected Speaker he would enact the entire “Contract.” On the contrary, he promised that each of the measures would be brought to the Floor of the House for a vote. He was able to keep that promise. The main point is this: Gingrich was a real leader. He excited candidates. He was the focal point for national media coverage.
Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) and Minority Whip Blunt are capable legislative leaders. They have done far more as Minority Leaders than could have been contemplated following the 2006 elections. But in terms of what Gingrich did in 1994 who is the national spokesman? What issues are presented to the American public? Is it sufficient to simply say, “We are not the other party?”
If Gingrich were able to exert leadership in the House today he would be able to take advantage of a situation which is even more favorable than he faced 14 years ago. Now he serves as a political commentator for Fox News Channel. As such, he is making many of the points he would make were he still in the House.
Having no Gingrich, the Minority Leadership would do well to create another one. Surely one of the new leaders could be given the mandate to become that national spokesman and to produce an agenda, perhaps based upon Gingrich’s new book. The American electorate won’t tune in to the electoral process with great consistency until after Labor Day. There is yet time to make this happen but odds are it won’t be done. Too much red tape. Too many egos. Strangely, not enough politics.
Paul M. Weyrich is Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation.
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