STARR POWER
Democrats privately worry that Ken Starr's testimony on Thursday to the House Judiciary Committee will be crisp, clear, and compelling. His popularity has nowhere to go but up. The concern is that his public performance will make him, if not a more sympathetic figure, at least a more reasonable one--and certainly allow him to counter the wrongheaded image that he's a sex-obsessed witch-hunter.

So, behind the scenes, Judiciary Committee Democrats have done another U-turn: now they don't want Starr to testify. They probably can't prevent it now, but don't be surprised if Democrats start speaking out against the testimony. (The hearings are going on too long, the voters have said they don't want impeachment, etc.) If bombs start falling in Iraq, they will urge a delay so that "Americans can stand united behind their President." Watch the Sunday morning shows and see what's said: If Democrats belabor these points, it will mean they're edgy.

SEÑOR LIVINGSTON
The elevation of Bob Livingston to Speaker has inspired some low-volume conservative grousing--not for love of Newt Gingrich (the right is mostly glad he's gone), but because his Appropriations Chairman management style suggests he'll avoid certain kinds of fights. On at least one issue, however, Livingston represents an enormous and immediate improvement: English language policy. "Livingston has been a good friend on English and Puerto Rico and he seems to understand these issues a lot better than Newt did," says Jim Boulet of English First. Livingston has gone out of his way to testify against bilingual education, and because his adopted daughter is Chinese, he approaches the subject with a credibility few can match. Moreover, Livingston was an active opponent of the pro-statehood bill for Puerto Rico that passed the House by one vote earlier this year. (Gingrich was actively in favor of making Puerto Rico the 51st state.)

Republicans will need to distinguish themselves from Democrats on several defining issues next year. Memo to Speaker Livingston: Think about making this one a priority.