Saddam Hussein has sued President George Bush-and Prime Minister Tony Blair, to boot. Apparently the critics are right: America has imposed its values on Iraq.
Let’s hope the veneer of change counts for something. House Republicans elected Rep. John Boehner of Ohio their new majority leader. He benefited from a desire within the conference for a break with the DeLay leadership team, with which acting majority leader Roy Blunt of Missouri was identified. Blunt now continues as majority whip, the third most senior spot in leadership. The candidate NR endorsed, John Shadegg of Arizona, finished third on the first ballot, and most of his supporters then swung behind Boehner on the second ballot, securing his surprise victory. Boehner ran on a platform of reform, but his attraction to many members clearly was that they could trust him not to bring too much of it. He has already backed off Speaker Denny Hastert’s proposal for a total ban on private travel, reflecting his conference’s attachment to that perk (see below). More important are the changes to the spendthriftfriendly 1974 Budget Act proposed by young Turks Paul Ryan and Jeb Hensarling. Boehner has lowered expectations on that front, too, suggesting that perhaps something can be done in the next few years. Boehner will now face an assault by the press on his K Street ties. Meaningful reforms, and a recommitment to conservative principle, would be the surest evidence that K Street donors and their allies don’t have undue influence on Capitol Hill.
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