Here is a good comment from Hewitt on that WaPo article.
From this morning's Washington Post article on the Bush agenda for the second term:
"A senior Republican congressional aide, who insisted on anonymity to speak freely about the White House, said the insular approach is being greeted with some trepidation among Bush's supporters on Capitol Hill, some of whom who think fresh voices should be recruited from outside. 'Their thirst for secrecy and control is driving the decisions,' the aide said. 'These legislative issues are not the kind you can cram down the throat of Congress.'"
A "senior" aide suggests one who has been around for a long time, and for whom change must be difficult. But the president built the majority in the Senate and that majority owes him, and Speaker Hastert and Majority Leader DeLay aren't exactly foes of the White House, so I expect great things of this Congress, and for obstructionists of both parties to get rolled. The changes in the cabinet and the close coordination of policy and retaining the initiative in the White House are designed to get things done, not simply enjoy the perks of power. If this Congress doesn't get social security reform accomplished, it is hard to imagine when one will.
Note the meme about "secrecy and control" in the piece. This is sure to be a regular drumbeat from Administration foes, but there is nothing wrong with confidentiality and coordination, except in the eyes of those on the outside, not the inside. |
