Word: gingrichs
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Although Clinton seemed completely unprepared for the first rhetorical challenge from the emboldened G.O.P., for Gingrich to start off with the school-prayer amendment made political sense. It probably seemed like the perfect thank-you gift to the Christian right for its substantial role in the Republican triumph. Even though leaders of the Christian right say it's not high on their legislative wish list, polls show strong support for some kind of classroom prayer, making it less contentious than an antiabortion measure they might prefer. Best of all, Gingrich could offer the amendment without fully expecting it to come...
Over time, the move could backfire. Liberal groups have seized on it as a way to energize their despondent troops, and even conservative Christians are wondering what kind of government-approved prayer they are going to have to agree to. But so far on this one it's Gingrich 1, Clinton...
Clinton will soon face a barrage of issues far tougher than school prayer. When the new Congress convenes in January, Gingrich plans a fast and furious start in the House, with quick thrusts on taxes, term limits, welfare and crime. Even in the generally more collegial Senate, a new lineup of Republican chairmen is setting traps on such things as defense spending and the global free-trade agreement. And everywhere the rhetoric is getting nastier. North Carolina Senator Jesse Helms felt free to say on CNN that Clinton is not up to the job of Commander in Chief -- a remark...
House Republicans these days are only too happy to find out what's too far right. Not long after Gingrich unveiled his intentions on the prayer amendment, Texas Representative Richard Armey, the next House majority leader, said that within three years his party will replace the current graduated income tax, which takes a larger bite from the upper brackets, with either a national sales tax or a flat tax of 17% on everybody. But it took congressional Democrats until week's end to utter their first opposition rhetoric. "We're not about to roll over and play dead while...
...fell to Clinton, the agreement was championed by Ronald Reagan and George Bush. Ranged against it now is a loose front that runs from labor unions, environmental groups and Ralph Nader to protectionist Senate Democrats like Ernest Hollings of South Carolina and Republicans like Phil Gramm of Texas. But Gingrich is a longtime GATT supporter who says he will make sure the agreement passes the House vote scheduled for Nov. 29. So the man who holds the cards is incoming Senate majority leader Bob Dole. The Dec. 1 Senate vote on GATT is a cliff-hanger. The White House...