(Newt Gingrich 1994 - "Who's yer daddy?")
When the party is in power the talk overflows with the milk of human kindness - Bi-partisanship is on the lips of every triumphant candidate. The sentiments "Come, let us reason together" are slathered over every press conference with a spatula - we are all one big happy family and the thought of revenge never enters our minds . . . .much.
And so was the case when the Republicans gained control during the mid-season elections in 1994.
November 11, 1994 - newly designated Majority Speaker Newt Gingrich held a press conference outlining his "Contract With America" - pouring forth big plans, big ideas and big love - all the trappings only one handed a family sized bottle of Power could enjoy.
Gingrich: “It’s very important to understand, this country has sent the congress a very powerful signal for change . . this is a city which is like a sponge; it absorbs waves of change and it slows them down and softens them and one morning they cease to exist. We want to, every way we can, bias the opportunity in favor of the American people, actually getting the changes they’re asking for – and now obviously every member is going to play a major role, every member is going to participate.”
Joining him for this episode of the Love Fest were Dick Armey, Jim Nussle, Frank Wolf, and Pat Roberts. Armey went out of his way to let people know he wasn't "in it for revenge". Although the underpinnings of it were plainly visible - smiling, happy faces notwithstanding.
My, how times have changed.
