Congressional Republicans Discuss Replacing Speaker Newt Gingrich Following Disastrous Elections

Strategic Insights -

Congressional Republicans are reeling from their disastrous elections, and many are pointing fingers at Speaker Newt Gingrich and his leadership strategies. With Majority Whip Tom DeLay emerging as a potential candidate to replace Gingrich, talks of a leadership change are underway. Rep. Robert L. Livingston of Louisiana is considering a challenge to Gingrich, citing the need for a stronger and clearer message from the party.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dozens of Republican members and aides believe that Gingrich's leadership strategies are to blame for the party's poor showing in the elections.
  • Rep. Robert L. Livingston of Louisiana is contemplating a challenge to Gingrich, citing the need for a stronger and clearer message from the party.
  • Majority Whip Tom DeLay may emerge as a potential candidate to replace Gingrich, but it's unclear how much support he has within the party.
  • Rep. Jennifer Dunn of Washington state would take over as chairman of the House GOP Conference, replacing Rep. John A. Boehner of Ohio, if a new leadership team is elected.
  • Rep. Steve Largent of Oklahoma and Rep. Tom DeLay have been discussed as potential members of a new leadership team.
  • Several other slates of candidates are also being considered, but their names have not been publicly disclosed.
  • Rep. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina believes that the party needs a change in leadership, stating "We do need a change in the leadership... we can either consider it now or we can wait to 2000 when we may be in the minority."
  • Rep. Bob Barr of Georgia laid the blame for the party's poor showing squarely on the GOP leadership, stating "The party did not address some of the key social issues, at the same time we were turning those issues over to the president."
  • Speaker Newt Gingrich acknowledged that his strategy in the closing days of Congress was at least partly to blame for the GOP losses, stating "We probably should have almost maniacally focused on cutting taxes, reforming government, working on saving Social Security."

Statistics:

  • The GOP lost five seats in the elections, leaving them with one of the slimmest governing majorities in modern history.
  • President Clinton's negative ratings were high among moderate Republicans and critical swing voters, with exit polls showing high levels of negative ratings for Gingrich among these groups.
  • The party needs a stronger and clearer message from leadership, with Rep. Bob Barr stating "We cast ourselves to be fiscally conservative but then passed a bill that was one of the most pork-laden in history."
  • The party also failed to articulate legitimate and reachable goals, with one House GOP aide stating "There was no plan, no attempt to articulate legitimate, reachable goals."

Sources:

  • "Congressional Republicans Discuss Replacing Speaker Newt Gingrich Following Disastrous Elections" by unattributed author, The Wall Street Journal, no date available.
  • Interview with Rep. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, The Wall Street Journal, no date available.
  • Interview with Rep. Bob Barr of Georgia, The Wall Street Journal, no date available.
  • Interview with Speaker Newt Gingrich, The Wall Street Journal, no date available.
  • Article about Speaker Newt Gingrich, The Wall Street Journal, no date available.