Off the Record

Little more than a year ago the outlook for Republicans in the Congress was bleak. Jim Wright (D., Tex.) still reigned supreme from his Speaker’s throne; a Democratic majority threatened to strangle any Administration initiative; and the Republicans had just come off losing three seats in the House even in the midst of the Bush landslide. Now things are starting to look decidedly better, with Newt Gingrich (R., Ga.) as Minority Whip and a host of young conservatives in the second tier of leadership positions.

The most telling recent change was the appointment of Representative Vin Weber (R., Minn.) to the National Republican Congressional Committee. Mr. Weber’s appointment slipped through largely unnoticed—he doesn’t even have a formal NRCC title—but it’s no secret that he was put in to wrest control from the Old Bulls who have simply been there too long. One particular obstacle is the director of finance and administration, Wyatt Stewart. Over the years Mr. Stewart has raised oodles of money for the NRCC, but Cato hears that he could bring in twice as much if he modernized his operation, and the Republicans need four times as much if they are to have a real shot at a takeover of the House come 1992. Complaints are that Mr. Stewart’s fundraising efforts are 12 years out of date and that his control over both finance and administration handcuffs co-chairman Ed Rollins.

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Little more than a year ago the outlook for Republicans in the Congress was bleak. Jim Wright (D., Tex.) still reigned supreme from his Speaker’s throne; a Democratic majority threatened to strangle any Administration initiative; and the Republicans had just come off losing three seats in the House even in the midst of the Bush landslide. Now things are starting to look decidedly better, with Newt Gingrich (R., Ga.) as Minority Whip and a host of young conservatives in the second tier of leadership positions.

The most telling recent change was the appointment of Representative Vin Weber (R., Minn.) to the National Republican Congressional Committee. Mr. Weber’s appointment slipped through largely unnoticed—he doesn’t even have a formal NRCC title—but it’s no secret that he was put in to wrest control from the Old Bulls who have simply been there too long. One particular obstacle is the director of finance and administration, Wyatt Stewart. Over the years Mr. Stewart has raised oodles of money for the NRCC, but Cato hears that he could bring in twice as much if he modernized his operation, and the Republicans need four times as much if they are to have a real shot at a takeover of the House come 1992. Complaints are that Mr. Stewart’s fundraising efforts are 12 years out of date and that his control over both finance and administration handcuffs co-chairman Ed Rollins.