Capital Scene: The Ides Have It

JULIUS Caesar could have used Brutuses like this. In the confused wake of a failed attempt to depose Newt Gingrich as Speaker of the House, that may be the only point about which there is near-unanimity. Leading House Republicans-if that phrase isn’t an oxymoron now-are still putting reporters through the spin cycle with competing, and self-serving, versions of events. So here’s my positive spin, free of charge to the Republican National Committee: Republicans have flattered the public by vindicating its judgment that they were not to be trusted with complete control of the Federal Government.

The story began on the evening of July 8, as Gingrich’s deputies met to discuss how to get their act together. Organization, procedures, communications needed to be revamped so as to avoid humiliations like the June disaster-relief fiasco; Gingrich might have to be reined in. Fourth-ranking Republican Rep. John Boehner (Ohio) walked into the meeting and told the others to forget trying to salvage Gingrich’s operation: it was all over for the Speaker. Boehner said he had spoken to Gingrich’s most vociferous conservative critics, and they were planning to go to the floor to oust him. Since many Republicans had returned from the July Fourth recess dismayed to learn that their constituents still considered Gingrich an issue and dreading the prospect of his still being an issue at the next recess, the rebels were likely to succeed.

About the Author

Ramesh Ponnuru

Ramesh Ponnuru is the editor of National Review, a columnist for the Washington Post, and a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

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JULIUS Caesar could have used Brutuses like this. In the confused wake of a failed attempt to depose Newt Gingrich as Speaker of the House, that may be the only point about which there is near-unanimity. Leading House Republicans-if that phrase isn’t an oxymoron now-are still putting reporters through the spin cycle with competing, and self-serving, versions of events. So here’s my positive spin, free of charge to the Republican National Committee: Republicans have flattered the public by vindicating its judgment that they were not to be trusted with complete control of the Federal Government.

The story began on the evening of July 8, as Gingrich’s deputies met to discuss how to get their act together. Organization, procedures, communications needed to be revamped so as to avoid humiliations like the June disaster-relief fiasco; Gingrich might have to be reined in. Fourth-ranking Republican Rep. John Boehner (Ohio) walked into the meeting and told the others to forget trying to salvage Gingrich’s operation: it was all over for the Speaker. Boehner said he had spoken to Gingrich’s most vociferous conservative critics, and they were planning to go to the floor to oust him. Since many Republicans had returned from the July Fourth recess dismayed to learn that their constituents still considered Gingrich an issue and dreading the prospect of his still being an issue at the next recess, the rebels were likely to succeed.