The Week

Virginia Kelley, the President’s mother, has signed a book contract for the story of her life. She will make lots and lots of money, but that’s all right, she has lots and lots of explaining to do.

As the White House twisted Democratic arms over President Clinton’s latest budget plan, it was widely reported that in the event of failure Senator Robert Dole had offered to sit down with the President to craft a more moderate compromise between taxes and spending. Mr. Dole hoped to have his offer to the President backed by a majority of the Senate Republican leadership, but Senators Gramm, Lott, and Cochran strenuously objected to entering negotiations unless tax increases were off the table. Rightly so. By providing cover, Vichy Republicans are as responsible for high taxes and big government as liberal Democrats. If Mr. Dole continues to seek bipartisan budget deals, the Senate’s drift toward higher taxes will continue as well, and Mr. Dole’s title is likely to become Permanent Minority Leader.

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Virginia Kelley, the President’s mother, has signed a book contract for the story of her life. She will make lots and lots of money, but that’s all right, she has lots and lots of explaining to do.

As the White House twisted Democratic arms over President Clinton’s latest budget plan, it was widely reported that in the event of failure Senator Robert Dole had offered to sit down with the President to craft a more moderate compromise between taxes and spending. Mr. Dole hoped to have his offer to the President backed by a majority of the Senate Republican leadership, but Senators Gramm, Lott, and Cochran strenuously objected to entering negotiations unless tax increases were off the table. Rightly so. By providing cover, Vichy Republicans are as responsible for high taxes and big government as liberal Democrats. If Mr. Dole continues to seek bipartisan budget deals, the Senate’s drift toward higher taxes will continue as well, and Mr. Dole’s title is likely to become Permanent Minority Leader.