E Mail

National Review, Nov 9, 1998

TO: newtging@speaker.houseofreps.gov FROM: darmey@houseofreps.gov RE: We've got him on the ropes! Newt: It's looking great for us on November 3rd! We've got a balanced budget, a surplus (!), and the pollsters tell me that we're going to pick up about a dozen seats. Say, speaking of the surplus . . . any chance of getting a teeny-tiny ($30 million-$40 million neighborhood) line item in that appropriations bill for a few local things I've got going back home? Dick PS: Maybe next year, when he's really really really on the ropes, we should talk tax cuts.

TO: newtging@speaker.houseofreps.gov FROM: tdelay@whip.houseofreps.gov RE: The Republican revolution! Newt: What can I say? The prairie fire we lit in 1994 has become a bonfire! But let me buttonhole you for a little project I'm kind of godfathering through the process. Just a billion or two, but it would mean a lot to the folks back home. It's nice to finally have Bill Clinton where we want him, don't you think?? Tom

TO: tlott@majorityleader.senate.gov FROM: newtging@speaker.houseofreps.gov RE: Budget deal Trent: I'm a little concerned about the budget deal. I thought the strategy was to say "no" to the President on pretty much everything he wants, and to force him to veto a tax cut. I've been pretty busy lately being outraged and statesmanlike in re: the Monica thing, but I'm concerned that we've shifted course. Have we? Newt

TO: newtging@speaker.houseofreps.gov FROM: tlott@majorityleader.senate.gov RE: RE: Budget deal Newt: Are you kidding? No way! It's full steam ahead! Do you guys over there have any objection to a couple of national archive depositories being relocated to somewhere in, say, Mississippi? Trent

TO: tlott@majorityleader.senate.gov FROM: newtging@speaker.houseofreps.gov RE: RE: RE: Budget deal Trent: See, this is kind of what I'm talking about. We're supposed to be the fiscal tightwads, right? I'm just a little worried that we might be giving away our leverage. Shouldn't we be cutting the budget, instead of adding to it? And what happened to the tax cut? Newt

TO: newtging@speaker.houseofreps.gov FROM: tlott@majorityleader.senate.gov You know what your problem is? You're a killjoy. Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good, Newt. I agree that tax cuts are important. But they're perfect. Power plants, milk programs, and freeway overpasses are good. Trust me. Trent PS: I'm just going to assume that the archives thing is okay with you guys and put it on in. Also: a couple of guys over here want to talk about where the Army is planning to build those new jeep things we've ordered them to build.

TO: newtging@speaker.houseofreps.gov FROM: hhyde@judiciary.houseofreps.gov RE: Next steps I've got only a few minutes, so I'll make this brief. Impeachment full speed ahead. Can I get a couple of buildings in my district made into national landmarks? I'll get you the list tomorrow AM. H

TO: hhyde@judiciary.houseofreps.gov FROM: newtging@speaker.houseofreps.gov CC:tdelay@whip.houseofreps.gov, darmey@houseofreps.gov RE: Pork Guys: Look, the whole point of being a transforming Congress is that we have the opportunity to effect meaningful budgetary change. So let me be totally clear with you: this time, and this time ONLY, you can have your pet projects attached to the budget bill. But only because we've got Bill Clinton in a bind. So you guys can have your power-plant subsidies, your research grants, your freeway overpasses but just this ONE TIME. Deal? Newt PS: I need someone to co-sponsor an amendment for a small-potatoes defense contract. Any takers?