The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

p> BIRTHDAY PRESENTS br> On Wednesday, California Democratic Reps. Pete Stark , Barbara Lee , and Diane Watson , and Texas Democratic Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson all voted "present" on a resolution that extended birthday wishes to President Ronald Reagan on his 91st. Since no one votes "nay" on such nonbinding measures, a "present" is the moral equivalent of a "get lost." Stark and Lee objected to language in the birthday greeting, which praised Reagan for "bettering the quality of life in the United States." /p>

"These are petty, bitter, mean-spirited people," says a Republican congressman in the leadership. "I look forward to the day, which I hope will be soon, when I no longer have to call them colleagues."

"What my Republican colleagues don't understand is that these people have no shame," says a Democratic House member. "Nothing embarrasses them, that's why they can stomach being around people like Clinton. We understand that, and use it to our advantage. I'm sure a lot us under different circumstances wouldn't want to vote on this Reagan resolution, but why bother, when we've got these radicals from California who can do our heavy lifting for us. Besides, they seem to enjoy it."

This time around at least one California Democrat avoided trouble. Rep. Lynn Woolsey, whose district is in Marin County, voted "yea"" on this year's resolution after voting "present" a year ago when Reagan turned 90. The constituent ire she provoked last year wasn't something she wanted to face again.

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