The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

p> THE ENRON LOWER FORTY br> Democratic House leader Dick Gephardt spent part of his Memorial Day weekend in Texas, stumping for cash and candidates, including U.S. Rep Gene Green , who diverted his leader away from fundraising to speak to about 40 former Enron employees about the injustices of the Republican-led House and Senate. /p>

"No donations here," cracked a Democratic staffer to colleagues upon entering the church where the meeting took place. Gephardt didn't blame the Enron collapse on Republicans, but pointedly attacked them for passing a measure last week that in his view didn't go far enough to extend new protections to pensions. "The bill was weak," chimed in Green, whose district includes parts of Houston.

Green's people had set up the church meeting as a photo-op for local news outlets. While some former Enron employees were apparently aware it was a media event, others were angered by Gephardt's seeming uninterest in answering their questions after the TV cameras were turned off.

"I guess some people didn't understand that the purpose of the event was really to bring greater coverage for these ex-Enron employees," says a Democratic House staffer. "Simply by being there, Mr. Gephardt and Mr. Green reminded all Americans of what Enron had done, what capitalism not held to the rule of law could do. Just because he didn't address every question or concern doesn't mean he doesn't care."

p> POST-BONO br> Senior White House members believe that Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill

topics:
Law, NATO