December 10, 2000

Congress Debates Power Sharing But ‘Blue Dogs’ Reign

The momentous 2000 presidential election grinds on in the courts  with the outcome still in doubt – yet, congressional Democrats have mounted a campaign of "power sharing" just in case.

This is preposterous, of course, because the Constitution doesn’t provide for consolation prizes.

It’s winner take all – a bitter pill for losers but one necessary to get things done in nation with such a large and diverse population.

The alternative is parliamentary countries like Britain, France, Italy, and Israel. They are in constant turmoil over power sharing, coalitions and sudden calls for new elections whenever a minority faction gets its nose out of joint.

It is certain that Democrats will suffer galloping amnesia should Gore become the winner.

As the Florida courts strained to bring the presidential election to conclusion, congressional leaders met in Washington to rearrange the musical chairs.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle gleefully paraded his nine new members – headed by Hillary Clinton – before the media. "This is wonderful!" he exulted – referring to the 50-50 split in the upper house.

Daschle couldn’t resist the opportunity to demand a "power sharing arrangement" with Majority Leader Trent Lott and other Republican senators. He wants co-chair committees and an equal number of members. If not this, then an equal number of committee chairmen, or rotating chairmen.

"What I will simply say is that we will not be satisfied with anything less than a 50-50 split in the responsibilities and opportunities …. in the next Congress,"  Daschle stated. He says he should have a more representative title than that of Minority Leader.

Sen. Lott brought his leadership team – the same as before – to the introductory event. He extended an olive branch: "Different times call for different approaches."

Nevertheless, he was brusque in shooting down power sharing. "We’ve got to deal with the realm of possibility, not fondest dreams. Somebody has to be in charge, and we will be very clear about what we will do here."

Reality is that there will be an even number of Republican and Democrat senators come Jan. 20. However, Vice-president Dick Cheney would break tie votes in favor of Republicans.

 Even if Al Gore is president, Sen. Joe Liberman’s Senate seat will become vacant. Then, the Republican governor of Connecticut will appoint a Republican replacement – giving Republicans a 51-49 majority.

Either way, uppity Democrats will be relegated to the indignities they heaped on hapless Republicans for 60 years -- until Congressman Newt Gingrich in the House turned the tables in 1994.

Frankly, the Senate under Lott and Daschle likely will continue to be the sinkhole for legislation. Lott wants to be loved, and Daschle wants to be feared.

Don’t look for anything constructive from that unholy duo. The Senate would be better served if the rank and file on both sides of the aisle had chosen new middle-roaders.

On the House side, Rep. Dan Hastert was re-elected Speaker last week. Rep. Dick Gephardt was relected Minority Leader again.

Hastert’s 221-212 majority of fellow Republicans allows him to organize the committees. Yet, this is not enough to ram through bold, new legislation unaided by Democrats.

Power brokers of the 107th Congress will be a coterie of moderate "blue dog" Democrats. These are not to be confused with knee-jerk Dems long known among them selves as willing to vote for a "yellow dog" if it was a Democrat.  

Back in the post-Franklin Roosevelt days of solid Democrat Congresses, Republicans were able to craft legislation with the help of conservative "boll-weevil" Democrats -- mostly from the South.

Today, approximately 30 moderate Democrats have organized a blue-dog caucus. They are scattered throughout the country. It is likely they will call the tune for important legislation.

The closeness of the presidential popular and electoral votes indicates that conservative and liberal politics have run their courses. The new ideology is a combination of fiscal conservatism and social liberalism.

Somewhere in this contradictory mix is new millennium politics.

Hastert and Lott are reaching out to moderate Dems. Daschle and Gephardt are trying to keep them corralled.

The probable scenario for the new Congress was expressed by Rep. Albert Wynn (D-Md.) after the new leaders were announced. "It is moving into open trench warfare. Let’s get ready for hand-to-hand combat in 2002."

Fasten your seat belts.

 PARTING SHOTS

People who do not worry about politics should have their television sets repaired.

* * *

When Bush winds a clock, the clock stops.

When Gore gives a fireside chat, the fire goes out.

By Lindsey Williams, columnist for Sun Coast Media Group newspapers