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Paralysis and the Presidency Susan Estrich Having dined on crow for lunch, the president came out mumbling all the right words about bipartisanship and working with Congress, and all that. So did Nancy Pelosi. Is that what Americans want? Sure. Is that what they're going to get? Don't hold your breath. For the last six years, with a Republican majority in both the House and Senate, the president has failed legislatively on key issues: immigration, health care and Medicare reform are just three that top the list. Every fight about a judge has been just that. Relations between Democrats and Republicans have been bitter and strained. Now, the Republicans have been thumped, and the Democrats have taken over, with the thinnest of majorities in the Senate and a diverse majority, to say the least, in the House. Rush Limbaugh has pronounced himself "liberated," presumably now free to really go on the attack. The president, with only two years left on his term and no heir apparent, is the lamest of ducks, and everybody and his brother, and maybe even sister, is running for president. Does this sound like a recipe for cooperation and accomplishment? Does that sound like it has the makings for things to improve? I don't think so. Story Continues Below
In exactly whose interest is it for this combination Bush-Pelosi, Republican-Democrat team to succeed, other than, of course, the people's? The Democrats have to prove, in less than two years, why it is essential that there be a Democratic president. The Republicans have to prove, in less than two years, why it was a mistake to replace them in the House and Senate. If everything works well with divided government, neither argument carries the day. Sorry, but it sounds like paralysis to me. And a lot of hearings about the war in Iraq. And a very liberated Rush Limbaugh. If you thought there would be any respite between 2006 and 2008, think again. Tom Vilsack may not be a household name (not even close), but the Iowa governor has filed papers to become the first announced Democratic presidential candidate. And while he trails well behind everybody you've heard of in public opinion polls, what's significant about his candidacy at this point (other than proving how early you have to start) is its potential impact on Iowa. Will Iowa be less important if it has a favorite son in the race? Generally, that's what happens (see, for instance, 1992), which makes New Hampshire even more important. That's bad news for John Edwards, who is the best-organized candidate there at this point; and potentially good news for Barack Obama, who has the most catching up to do should he jump into the race. And as for Hillary, it may mean one less chance to show her up before the process swings into full speed, and her advantages in terms of money and organization mean that much more. Iowa has traditionally been a state where outsiders, insurgents and less well-financed candidates have a chance to show their stuff, where those who can afford to spend more time on the ground can see a direct payoff, and where frontrunners lose their lead. So there are probably at least a few Democrats today outside the Vilsack family who are whispering, "Thanks, Tom." But the Iowa Democratic Party, which depends on the caucuses for attention and funding, may not be among them. I'm a big fan of James Baker. In 27 years in politics, he might just be the smartest person I've met. And one of the most decent. So maybe I should have figured that before he came up with a new plan on the Iraq war, he would make sure that it would have a fair reception. Which means having a Secretary of Defense who would not shoot it down before it even arrived on his desk. Robert Gates, the Secretary-designate, is a member of Jim Baker's commission. What a coincidence. Also known as brilliance, good planning or smart politics. I'd call it all of the above. Or just call it typical James Baker. Now, about Dick Cheney...
COPYRIGHT 2006 CREATORS SYNDICATE INC. Editor's note:
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