The reverse K Street Project.(THE OUT YEARS)

IN NOVELS, FILMS, OR REAL LIFE, THERE'S REALLY only one Washington story: Newcomer comes to town, full of idealism and ready to change the country, but soon encounters the permanent government that defines what you can't do and whom you have to deal with if you want to try. The permanent government might be octogenarian committee chairs, ruthless staffers, or--more recently, as the power of the committee chairs has waned--the lobbyists.

It's the story of the Carter administration, the Clinton administration, and almost every new congressional majority. Even Republican right ...