
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 11, 1990                   TAG: 9003112558
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: PETER OSTERLUND THE BALTIMORE SUN
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Medium

DEMOCRATS WORRY ABOUT LEADERSHIP

He used to say it about Dan Quayle. Now, in the wake of last week's call from House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., for direct U.S. economic assistance to the Soviet Union, a Southwestern Democrat had found a new target for his barb:

"Dick Gephardt gives dumb blondes a bad name," the congressman says.

Few Democrats reacted to Gephardt's latest policy pronouncement with such corrosiveness, though many have expressed considerable anxiety about it. "I've got to say, I think Dick's being a bit premature on this one," said Rep. Charles Wilson, D-Texas.

But the majority leader's statement - part of a speech in which he reiterated earlier attacks on the leadership abilities of President Bush - has led some Democrats to wonder whether their own leadership is competent to meet the political challenges of the 1990s.

It is the task of the Democratic leaderships of the House of Representatives to forge something of a ruling majority from a quarrelsome, self-contradicting coalition of 257 Democrats. Moreover, they must do so in the face of opposing efforts by a president whose popularity continues to flirt with historic highs and whose conciliatory approach to governance makes it doubly difficult for the loyal opposition to cohere.

The party's internal debate over taxes mixes policy priorities with larger political objectives in a stew of legislative confusion.

Many Democrats want to raise taxes, and publicly say so. Even the leadership has tacitly supported a tax increase.

And yet, when asked whether Democrats want to raise taxes, Gephardt recently answered, "It is not the Democratic Party's policy to increase taxes."

Republicans reacted with derision when Gephardt suggested that the United States aid the Soviets. On closer questioning, a few conceded that he did little more than advocate an increase in food aid to the Soviet Union (the U.S. sells it subsidized grain) and a relaxation of trade restrictions.

But that fact did little to reduce Republican glee - and Democratic discomfiture - over Gephardt's perceived gaffe.

Which has left more than a few Democrats wondering if any leader can ever make them happy.

"We want somebody to speak out. When he does, we dump on him," said Rep. Larry Smith, D-Fla. "So just what, please tell me, do we want?"

by CNB