Announcement of sixth Clinton policy on Haiti and ineffective healthcare “blitz” during July 4 congressional recess suggest White House staff shake-up having little effect. Beltway pundits entirely unimpressed. McLaughlin Group’s Fred Barnes says new Chief of Staff Leon Panetta will make mistake of being too attuned to congressional advice. Baltimore Sun’s Jack Germond and Jules Witcover found laughable transfer to State Dept. of counselor David Gergen, who knows “as much about foreign policy as your Aunt Emma.” Gergen is going to remake image of U.S. foreign policy after entering WH a year ago to reverse Clinton’s opinion-poll ratings—currently in sharp downturn. . . . Behind shakeup was Bob Woodward book The Agenda, approaching a million in sales and subject of conversation at every D.C. dinner party. Book doomed Chief of Staff Mack McLarty as well as Gergen, whose cooperation with Woodward drew Hillary’s ire. Irony: Bringing Gergen to White House was McLarty’s idea. Prez had to raise subject of “staff reorganization” with McLarty three times before he took hint he was out. Los Angeles Times says problem is not staff but Clinton’s own “lack of decision-making discipline.” . . . Panetta now telling TV interviewers he will limit WH access of outsiders like political guru James Carville. But Carville—behind Dems’ assault on Christian Right—not likely to be deterred. Carville’s fiery, sometimes incoherent stemwinder at recent New Hampshire fundraiser ripped into Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell and said Dems are morally superior to GOP. A few days later, he criticized William Bennett for “preach[ing] moral superiority.”
Health-care battle heating up. GOP Chairman Haley Barbour has announced Ross Perot will pay for Republican TV extravaganza hitting ClintonCare. (Deal has larger significance for ’96 as first formal tie between Perot and GOP.) Special will be hosted by former NIH Director Dr. Bernadine Healey and will counter Tom Brokaw’s NBC News special paid for by foundation. . . . Content and timing of Bob Dole’s conservative health-care plan a coup for GOP Senate leader. Dole won support of 40 senators—magic number for successful Senate filibusters. Dole, who just won Iowa caucus straw vote, was also impressive in getting 43 senators to sign letter demanding resignation of Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders.
Comments