Word: capitols
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...tougher Bosnia policy, "Christopher's delivery was monotone, almost machine-like, leaving the impression that he had no views one way or the other," says a senior British diplomat. "He appears to be a conveyor of information, not a decision maker," an opinion echoed by U.S. legislators about his Capitol Hill performances. A subordinate likens Christopher's role on the top-level principals committee, which has met frequently to set policy on Bosnia, to that of a "good fielder, lousy hitter" -- sound but uninspired. Richard Haass, a National Security Council official under Bush, argues that the fundamental problem is Christopher...
...perhaps one or two votes more than the 217 he needed for passage. But halfway into the 15-minute voting period, two Democrats the White House thought it had won over, James Hayes of Alabama and Tim Johnson of South Dakota, voted nay. Instantly, Clinton's margin disappeared. On Capitol Hill a nervous Howard Paster, the top Clinton lobbyist, telephoned White House chief of staff Thomas ("Mack") McLarty in the Oval Office. Mack, he said, "what's happening to our strategy...
...begin on June 7 when the Finance Committee takes up the House-passed bill. The chief obstacle is Boren, from oil-rich Oklahoma, who opposes the energy tax and is the pivotal vote on the panel. Administration officials believe they may still pick off Boren, but Democrats on Capitol Hill are already talking darkly of retribution if he doesn't fall into line. One likely target: the Senator, regarded as pompous and self- important even by Senate standards, helped create the David L. Boren National Security Education program, which provides scholarships to graduates. "It's not a big thing," said...
What makes these legislators even more powerful than they otherwise might be are Clinton's declining approval ratings and the growing feeling on Capitol Hill that there is no reason to fear the President. The names of the most prominent lions are as familiar as the headlines in which they appear, and at least two are already looking ahead to 1996. They include...
...best way for Clinton to minimize the influence of congressional lions is to try to build Capitol Hill constituencies early and pay close attention to congressional prerogatives and sensitivities. As Dole advises from his sunny balcony, "If you really want cooperation ((from Congress)), don't bypass us until you suddenly need us." In other words, Bill Clinton must learn to pet the lions if he doesn't want them to bite...