Finally, the Beginning of the End for Gingrich

Finally, the Beginning of the End for Gingrich

Wednesday, June 18th, 1997 -- House Republicans finally got the message: "Dump Newt Gingrich! The American people are sick of him!"

A few days ago I alerted you that House Speaker Newt Gingrich might pay dearly for the latest failure of his party -- the losing duel over the Flood Disaster Relief Bill, which left Republicans looking like a bunch of tyros after caving in and allowing the White House to dictate the terms of the bill.

Now a gaggle of humiliated and angry GOP House members have called an emergency meeting to discuss what to do about flagging leadership in the party. The jig is up. The meeting, ostensibly called to discuss the best way to avoid further embarrassment over the upcoming battle with President Clinton over tax cuts and yearly spending limits, is really the culmination of the latest four days of Gingrich-bashing by conservative and moderate House Republicans who want to cut Newt's cord and send him reeling into the sunset.

The writing was on the wall when it was learned that House leadership was not invited to what some Republican aides called a "Newt Roast" yesterday.

The feeding frenzy began when an anonymous letter began circulating late last week which called on Republicans to challenge Gingrich as Speaker. Then, at his weekly press conference, House Majority Leader Dick Armey responded to the pointed question "Is Gingrich doing an effective job?" with a refusal to comment, saying "Well, have a nice day now," and walking out.

Armey is said to be a front runner to replace Gingrich, but that won't happen as the Texas Republican often shoots from the hip and could land the Republicans in a "heap of trouble," said one aide.

The Speaker was furious, and Armey was forced to issue a written statement defending his refusal to answer the question. But the answer spoke for itself saying "Since no one asked, I assumed it was perfectly clear that the leadership continues to be a cohesive team.''

The fact remains, though -- someone had asked.

Armey also claimed he had not talked with fellow conservatives about keelhauling Mr. Gingrich -- the key word being conservatives. Word has it that Armey is not personally examining his chances to replace Gingrich, but that aides and political friends are.

Gingrich's own office dismissed the Armey snub by saying that is was obvious that Mr. Armey merely ran out of time and couldn't answer the question.

House Republicans, particularly conservatives, are posing as angry that Gingrich does seem to be pressing the reduction of big government. But this line is only a cover for a tempest brewing ever since the Speaker was sanctioned by the House Ethics Committee for lying and using charitable corporations to raise money for his personal political agenda.

Politicians are not stupid. When the Speaker of the House becomes the most disliked political leader in history, something has to be done. Recent polls show Gingrich's popularity -- even in his own district -- at an all-time low.

House Republicans smell the distinct odor of a rotting corpse. Like jackals, they are circling the body, cautious not to be killed themselves, but anxious to feed.