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 t's
a fallacy to say that there's not a dime's worth of difference between
Republicans and Democrats. But,
Republicans
had better learn that there's certainly a Nickles worth of difference
in terms of who should lead them in the near future.
The Jeffords jump — whether it's to the Democrats or to independent
status — should be the final nail in Trent Lott's coffin. For
that matter, even if Jeffords has an eleventh-hour change of heart,
this perilous situation — which has managed to knock the Senate
passage of Bush's tax bill to second-tier status — underscores
how unsuitable Trent Lott is in his current position. While he has
performed admirably in leading the Senate Republicans to the verge
of minority status, there is absolutely no reason why he should
be rewarded for this feat by retaining his current position —
or even assuming the title of minority leader.
The final conclusion to this fiasco should not be Republican complacency.
Yes, the GOP might cajole Zell Miller over to their side. But, don't
count on it, for two reasons. One, though Miller is doing what he
feels is best for his constituents, he has made a career out of
eating Georgia Republicans for lunch. Why join with a group that
— at the state level — he can't stand? But, more importantly,
Miller will most likely not make the jump because Tom Daschle will
do what it takes to keep him there.
If there's one thing that the first five months of Senate under
technical Republican control has demonstrated, it's that Daschle
knows how to take greater advantage of the rules than Lott does.
He held a gun to Lott's head in demanding parity in committee and
Lott blinked. Daschle also seems to be able to count votes better
than his Mississippi counterpart.
Remarkably, Lott was asked Monday if Jeffords was going to jump.
The erstwhile majority leader responded, "I certainly hope not.
We can't afford to lose another singing senator." Hey, Trent! It's
already obvious that you and Jeffords aren't singing from the same
page! Besides, you already lost one singer when Ashcroft went down
last year! It's true that the White House has to share some blame
for the stiff-arming of Jeffords on the "Teacher of the Year" invite.
Whether Bush was ticked off because of the tax cut reduction or
not, Jeffords, as chairman of the Education Committee, should have
been at the ceremony — especially when one of his constituents
was being honored. It's pettiness all around that a snub like this
should occur — or matter.
But, it's Trent Lott's job to act as the go-between in a situation
like this. He has to pick up the phone and tell the White House:
"This is important to one of my guys. Yes, he may be a major pain
and vote with the Democrats more than half the time, but he is a
vote for me as majority leader — and thus a vote for your judicial
appointments and your long-term agenda." For Lott to have not been
aware — or have the political facility to assuage — the
bad blood between his president and his member is a colossal failure.
Trent Lott may be more ideologically conservative than the man he
replaced as majority leader five years ago, but the truth is that
a Jeffords defection would not have happened on Bob Dole's watch.
As one Republican has put it, "Trent Lott survives because the ex-frat
boy puts on a good kegger." When the Republicans had to deal with
a president of the other party and had to balance obstructionism
with governance, it was fine to have an ability to keep everybody
happy and make schedules that everyone loved. That time is now gone.
One ex-cheerleader is enough in Republican leadership. President
George W. Bush is essential. Ex-Majority Leader Trent Lott is not.
Senate Republicans seeking to make things OK should turn to the
man from Oklahoma. Sen. Don Nickles, get ready for your close-up.
Your country and party need you.
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