As the Presidency of Ronald Reagan, with its great conservative victories at home and abroad, came to a close, there was concern that his predecessor, George H.W. Bush would not be able to continue Reagan’s progress. In the end, while Bush did carry on some of Reagan’s principles, he drifted on others, costing him the support and trust of the conservative Republicans and re-election, losing to Bill Clinton in 1992.
In this May 20, 1993, file photo House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich of Ga., along with House Minority Leader Bob Michel of Ill., right, take part in a rally on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/John Duricka, File)
When Clinton overreached in his early days, pursuing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” “Hillarycare,” and add further gun control restrictions, the stage was set for Republican leadership to win a majority in one or both houses of Congress. Newt Gingrich and others stepped forward, formed a plan, and unveiled the “Contract with America” in which they made promises about actions they would take in the first 100 days of their leadership, if elected. Many of their reforms were enacted including balancing the federal budget four years in a row and led to the monumental Welfare Reform Act of 1996, vetoed twice by President Clinton.
But with scandal, distractions, and inner party politics, the Republican leadership was eventually slowed and derailed. George W. Bush did win two very close presidential elections, but weak leadership in Congress did not allow the conservatives to advance their principles as much as they had hoped.
The timeless principle most prevalent in this study is leadership. In 1994 the Republican candidates for Congress showed unity, clarity, determination, transparency, and courage; in short, many of the key characteristics of leadership. Led by Newt Gingrich, the party put forth a clear, concise, conservative, written “contract” about what would happen in the first 100 days of Congress if they were given the majority. Watch as this campaign is launched at a press conference held by Rep. Gingrich. Note in particular that he seems amazed that this straightforward approach would seem so novel in our nation’s capitol.
This moment in time demonstrates that a few courageous and visionary leaders can radically change something as resistant to change as the U.S. Congress. It gives us much to consider as the 2014 congressional elections approach.
