Democrats Find Some Traction on Capitol Hill

Friday, September 12, 2003

By Sheryl Gay Stolberg

New York Times Writer

"Any sign of weakness out of the White House is going to be perceived by the president's allies in Congress as an opportunity to act a little bit more like free spirits, and on the part of the opposition to be more aggressive. It's the blood-in-the-water syndrome."

WASHINGTON -- NYT
With President Bush on the defensive over his handling of postwar Iraq, Democrats on Capitol Hill have been scoring a few victories in the Republican-controlled Congress, gaining a measure of political momentum that they hope will grow more pronounced as the 2004 elections draw nearer.

This week, Senate Democrats won votes on such pocketbook issues as overtime pay and student aid, as well as financing for special education. Last week, their long-running filibuster forced an appeals court nominee, Miguel Estrada, to withdraw. Next week, they are expected to prevail in a Senate vote to repeal new rules, backed by the White House, that would enable large media conglomerates to expand.

Political analysts and Democrats say it is no coincidence that the recent gains on overtime and student aid came in the same week that President Bush announced he was requesting $87 billion for postwar Iraq, an announcement followed by a drop in Mr. Bush's approval rating. Some say the numbers have emboldened Democrats and made Republicans, especially those up for re-election, more likely to break ranks with their party and the president.

"The president is losing some of his popularity," said Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, the Democratic whip. Of Republicans, Mr. Reid said: "They no longer feel that he can be a dictator. They no longer feel that he is King George. He is President George now."

Republicans, of course, are hardly relinquishing control on Capitol Hill. This week, they shut Democrats out of talks designed to reach an agreement between the House and Senate on a new energy bill. Senators Bill Frist of Tennessee, the Republican leader, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican whip, played down the Democrats' recent gains.

"We like to let them win one occasionally to keep their morale up," Senator McConnell said, adding that Republican unity was not cracking.

"My response," he said, "is: Prove it. There's no evidence."

Dr. Frist called the Democrats' gains "isolated victories."
(More: NYTimes.com)

2003 © The New York Times Company.

Dan