[MozarkDawg]

Granted Bob Dole, who is a good man, and Newt, who let people down because of his own personal relationships, were not the best to press forward the conservative agenda.

Then why, knowing this to be the case, were these two the men whom the conservatives (read: pols, not voters) chose to press forward the agenda? The entire hierarchy knew that Dole wanted to run as one last feather in his cap, foisted him on us conservative voters. Personal stuff aside, which occured later, Newt Gingrich lost his power to press the very first day of the '95-'96 session, when Democrat after Democrat stood in the well of the House and lied about him, cast aspersions on his integrity, with no Republican whatsoever standing up to defend him. Any member of the ignorant voting public who witnessed that demonstration got an eye- and earful ... the GOP should have understood this from the start and fixed the problem, not exacerbate it with the same, tired, "Well, do you want a Dem instead?" threats.

[rabbitdog]

I think your right about Republican response and support for Newt at the time. From what I recall there was no Republican at the time who just stood out and Dole won. I just believe that Republicans thought the voters wouldn't buy a lot of this Democrat nonsense, but they did. I think that for now if we get a majority in both houses that will allow the conservative agenda to be voted on, it will pass. I thought it interesting that the tax cut got several democratic senators after it was brought up for a final vote.