Republican Reform. Last year, when Representative Don Sundquist (R., Tenn.) ran against Representative Guy Vander Jagt (R., Mich.) for control of the National Republican Congressional Committee on a reform ticket, Sundquist lost because it was thought that he had been put uptoitby President Bush. Bush was irritated at the advice given by Ed Rollins, then co-chief of the NRCC, to GOP congressman to hold fast on their tax pledge. But the complaints raised at the time about the ineffectiveness of the NRCC at turning financial contributions into electoral victories were valid, and many of those who supported Vander Jagt last winter made it clear that had his opponent been anyone other than Sundquist they would have voted otherwise.
The pressure is still on the top rank of the NRCC, which is why Chairman Vander Jagt agreed to an investigation into the organization by Representatives Porter Goss (R., Fla.) and Jim Lightfoot (R., Iowa), respectively ex-CIA and ex-police. At a recent meeting between congressional administrative assistants and the NRCC top brass, Mr. Vander Jagt said that among reforms expected were reducing the number of consultants from fifty to one, and cutting the staff by half. But the big question, still unanswered, is: Will the NRCC get rid of fundraiser Wyatt Stewart, whose grip on finances is the main obstacle to a reformed NRCC? Stay tuned.
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