People like to talk about the convergence of events creating the
kind of atmosphere that can transform the political landscape in
the same terms as really bad weather. Not sure after Katrina and
Rita that is necessary, but ...
Katrina and Rita, combined with the political hatchet job Texas
legal beagle Ronnie Earle is doing on Rep. Tom DeLay, may do the
GOP more good than anyone realizes right now. Last night we spoke
with a couple of members of the Republican Study Committee who
helped shape "Operation Offset," the group's recommedations to trim
more than $900 billion in excess spending from the books.
They were happy with the elevation of Rep. Roy Blunt to leader,
as temporary as that may be. They felt that Blunt had been far
more receptive to cutting back than DeLay, and that under the
circumstances, Blunt would feel the political heat was on to give
the base what it needed right now: a strong victory in an area
where conservative Republicans usually reign: budget and tax
cuts.
The trimming of billions from those bloated transportation and
energy bills, combined with a strong Supreme Court nomination,
would again place momentum back with the Republicans.
topics:
Transportation, Books, Supreme Court, Energy
