The House revolt of the moderates killed the quest for new leadership by a moderate-conservative coalition. Rep. Mike Pence, chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee, told this column late Thursday that he was not interested in new leadership elections. But he was deeply upset by the moderates. "It does not bode well for the future of this Republican majority," Pence told me. Other conservatives were reported as calling on the Club for Growth to challenge in Republican primaries every member of the moderate Main Street group.
Conservatives to whom I talked were outraged less by the moderates than coddling that did not begin with Speaker Dennis Hastert but was started in 1995 by Speaker Newt Gingrich's Republican control of the House. "I hate it that the leaders kill ANWR because of Sherry Boehlert [New York] and Chris Shays [Connecticut]," said a California congressman who asked that his name not be used.
Last week's breakdown in the House promoted wistful Republican longing for the strong arm of suspended Majority Leader Tom DeLay. But nobody has a quick solution for what to do when Congress reconvenes today. One conservative suggestion that Republican rebels might be brought around by adverse comments on the weekend talk shows and in newspapers did not reckon on lionizing of the moderates.
The Republican Party does not know how to save the budget bill that it cannot afford to lose. A weakened President Bush, off to Asia Tuesday, will not be around for one-on-one lobbying. A way out is to pass a budget with neither ANWR nor budget cuts and approve a tax bill without investment tax cuts. The Grand Old Party's mission, apart from a vigorous foreign policy, then would be legislation fitting the special needs of its top business contributors -- a role the moderates could accept.