For the Record

Robert Dole, says a conservative GOP analyst, was conservatives’ second choice for Senate Majority Leader; first choice was “anybody else.” With Dole as Majority Leader and Bob Packwood as new head of Senate Finance Committee, gloomy supply-siders say two key positions are in hands of “revenue-enhancers.” . . . Conservative Alan Simpson (Wyo.) di win second highest Senate position—Senate Whip —but man he beat was Robert Kasten (Wis.), considered much more conservative. . . . Top spot in House GOP remains unchanged with re-election of Robert Michel as Minority Leader. . . . Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment—Thou shalt not criticize another Republican—will be sorely tested by 99th Congress. Relations between Dole’s “moderate” Senate Republicans and Young Turks in House aren’t good. Dole disdains Jack Kemp and Newt Gingrich, and feeling is mutual. Gingrich refers to Dole as “the tax collector of the welfare state.” . . . Robert and Elizabeth Dole are now a two-limousine family: one for him as Majority Leader, the other for her as Secretary of Transportation. But Dole says his limo will always be pretty full of fellow senators: “I think I promised two or three guys that I’d pick them up every day. That was the margin of victory. It’s not busing but it’s close.”

Tip O’Neill has joined ranks of lame ducks. After House Democrats elected him Speaker one more time. O’Neill made it official: “Two years from now. I’ll draw down the shades and make a quiet exit.” . . . Rep. James C. Wright was re-elected House Majority Leader. While O’Neill was mellow, Wright came out swinging. He told House Democrats: “We are not prepared to be the patsies for the artful pretenders at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue.” If there’s going to be a tax bill, said Wright, it’s going to be Reagan’s tax bill. . . . Democrats also face internal trouble. Rep. James Jones wanted to bend a party rule and stay on as chairman of House Budget Committee, but House Dems voted 124 to 115 to keep rule, thereby paving way for Rep. William Gray III (Pa.) to seek key spot. Gray is black, and several members of Black Caucus interpreted vote for rules change as vote against Black Caucus. Gray is big on social spending, and it’s safe to say he won’t have vote of departing chairman Jones. “If the chairman doesn’t show a lot of respect to conservatives,” says Jones, “he won’t be successful.” Rep. Martin Frost (Tex.), also in running for Budget chairman, echoes Jones. He says House Democrats have “got to move to the center.” . . . Virginia Governor Charles S. Robb (D.) says Democrats have to find out why so many white males consider it “socially unacceptable” to support the party. Among Robb’s recommendations: abolish party caucuses of blacks, Hispanics, and others because they give impression that party is “nothing but a collection of special interests.” . . . House Ethics Committee report says Geraldine Ferraro did violate Ethics in Government Act by neglecting to file details of her husband’s finances. Report is said to be masterpiece of understatement, but there should be enough in it for Sen. Alfonse D’Amato (R., N.Y.) to make good use of should she try to unseat him in ’86.

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Robert Dole, says a conservative GOP analyst, was conservatives’ second choice for Senate Majority Leader; first choice was “anybody else.” With Dole as Majority Leader and Bob Packwood as new head of Senate Finance Committee, gloomy supply-siders say two key positions are in hands of “revenue-enhancers.” . . . Conservative Alan Simpson (Wyo.) di win second highest Senate position—Senate Whip —but man he beat was Robert Kasten (Wis.), considered much more conservative. . . . Top spot in House GOP remains unchanged with re-election of Robert Michel as Minority Leader. . . . Ronald Reagan’s 11th Commandment—Thou shalt not criticize another Republican—will be sorely tested by 99th Congress. Relations between Dole’s “moderate” Senate Republicans and Young Turks in House aren’t good. Dole disdains Jack Kemp and Newt Gingrich, and feeling is mutual. Gingrich refers to Dole as “the tax collector of the welfare state.” . . . Robert and Elizabeth Dole are now a two-limousine family: one for him as Majority Leader, the other for her as Secretary of Transportation. But Dole says his limo will always be pretty full of fellow senators: “I think I promised two or three guys that I’d pick them up every day. That was the margin of victory. It’s not busing but it’s close.”

Tip O’Neill has joined ranks of lame ducks. After House Democrats elected him Speaker one more time. O’Neill made it official: “Two years from now. I’ll draw down the shades and make a quiet exit.” . . . Rep. James C. Wright was re-elected House Majority Leader. While O’Neill was mellow, Wright came out swinging. He told House Democrats: “We are not prepared to be the patsies for the artful pretenders at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue.” If there’s going to be a tax bill, said Wright, it’s going to be Reagan’s tax bill. . . . Democrats also face internal trouble. Rep. James Jones wanted to bend a party rule and stay on as chairman of House Budget Committee, but House Dems voted 124 to 115 to keep rule, thereby paving way for Rep. William Gray III (Pa.) to seek key spot. Gray is black, and several members of Black Caucus interpreted vote for rules change as vote against Black Caucus. Gray is big on social spending, and it’s safe to say he won’t have vote of departing chairman Jones. “If the chairman doesn’t show a lot of respect to conservatives,” says Jones, “he won’t be successful.” Rep. Martin Frost (Tex.), also in running for Budget chairman, echoes Jones. He says House Democrats have “got to move to the center.” . . . Virginia Governor Charles S. Robb (D.) says Democrats have to find out why so many white males consider it “socially unacceptable” to support the party. Among Robb’s recommendations: abolish party caucuses of blacks, Hispanics, and others because they give impression that party is “nothing but a collection of special interests.” . . . House Ethics Committee report says Geraldine Ferraro did violate Ethics in Government Act by neglecting to file details of her husband’s finances. Report is said to be masterpiece of understatement, but there should be enough in it for Sen. Alfonse D’Amato (R., N.Y.) to make good use of should she try to unseat him in ’86.