Barnes: GOP Leaders Not Sorry Watts Is Leaving

NewsMax.com ^ | 7/02/02 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

Yesterday, congressional Republicans were publicly beseeching Oklahoma Rep. J.C. Watts, the party's most prominent black elected official, to withdraw his retirement announcement.

But behind the scenes, says one Washington wag, the GOP leadership is not all that unhappy to see him go.

"He was a funny guy to deal with," said Fox News Channel's Fred Barnes, while discussing Watts' retirement with anchorman Brit Hume. "The other leaders didn't get along with him. He did not work effectively in the leadership."

In fact, said Barnes, Watts had developed a reputation as a pain in the neck.

"[He was] always disgruntled, always complaining, even a little paranoid at times," said the veteran reporter. "Republican leaders are not that sorry that he's going because he was so hard to deal with."

Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Bush Administration
RNC

[RAT Patrol]

Watts can take is "disgruntled", "paranoid" self all the way to the White House as far as I'm concerned. I'd rather have him as my president than the current guy whose name I won't mention.

What a slam job.

[ppaul]

Watts had developed a reputation as a pain in the neck...

Yeah.
He was one of the principled few who did not kiss ass.

[Wm Bach]

The GOP has no room under the tent for Conservatives.

[mhking]

I heard Barnes on F&F this morning with that line - I'm truly wondering about it; of course, I'd love to believe that he would be a good team player. Certainly there are plenty of pointers in that direction. Ultimately, I wonder, after listening to Barnes, whether or not that truly came from the leadership or if it came from others on the Hill who want the rank and file to follow the leader lock-step (even though the GOP leadership on the hill is rather limp-wristed to begin with).

I'm thinking that Watts had a decent mind as to where/which way to go, but the leadership, in trying their failing gamesmanship, didn't like the mirror that Watts held up in front of them.

[mhking]

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

[Tall_Texan]

Watts apparently got the words "Republican" and "Conservative" confused, particularly after those giddy days in 1995 when Newt was running the House and actual reforms were being proposed instead of just "more government". Wouldn't you, too, be somewhat disgruntled?

It is sad to see so many who stood for conservatism leaving Congress this year, particularly in the Senate. I fear that even if the GOP wins both the House and the Senate, the weak-kneed ones that are left will *still* behave more like Democrats than conservatives. I hope I'm wrong but a GOP victory across-the-board may be the biggest disappointment we conservatives will ever know.

[mhking]

It sounds (from Barnes' description) like the GOP leadership (or lack of leadership) on the Hill didn't like that Watts didn't play "follow the leader" along with everyone else there. Sounds like some of those folks who accused Watts of being a RINO around here...

[blackdog]

Watts stock just doubled in my book. Anyone who cannot just join along with the republican non-leadership in my opinion is doing something right. Watts-Largent-Rice-Imhoff, decent people with decent beliefs. Too bad they will never see the opportunity for higher office. The system's hacks will see to it.

[Illbay]

There is some truth to what you say. The conservatives need to mount a serious attempt to just take over the party, leaving folks like Lott, McCain, Hatch, etc., totally out in the cold--eventually, that is, because you're not going to get rid of ranking Senators for awhile.

It wouldn't be that hard if we'd just get smart and not let idjits like Pat Buchanan (oh yeah, he's gone now!) and Pat Robertson speak for us, folks who don't have a clue how to motivate anyone but their own slavish devotees.

In short, we need a modern Ronald Reagan to lead the troops on to victory.

Reagan's legacy did leave the conservatives in a far better position even today, but we need to continue the march.

[FRlurker]

Thanks for the ping, mhking. Sad to see one of the 1994 Republican revolutionaries leaving. I found his comment on President Bush being the leader of the GOP interesting. Could it be that Rep. Watts read the handwriting on the wall and realized the GOP is moving ever leftward?

[RCW2001]

we need a modern Ronald Reagan to lead the troops on to victory.

The 'party' will have to 'crash and burn' before the "leaders" of the party would allow THAT to happen!

Whats that I smell...smoke???

[Old Fud]

I hope I'm wrong but a GOP victory across-the-board may be the biggest disappointment we conservatives will ever know.

Yup. I see no reason to expect a dramatic swing to the right when most of the principal GOP players will still be around.

IMO, the GOP is glad to see Watts go because his retirement continues the purge of conservatives. Sad.

[Endeavor]

That's a line too ridiculous to let pass. The GOP has plenty of room for conservatives.

[nickcarraway]

"[He was] always disgruntled, always complaining, even a little paranoid at times,"

Oh, that's so unusual among Republicans.

[Seruzawa]

Their ain't no Socialist vs. Conservative politics at all anymore. It's merely Socialist vs. Socialist-Lite. It's been that way for many years.

[Seruzawa]

The GOP has plenty of room for conservatives.

As long as we just pony up our donations and then shut up and stay in the back of the bus... er, I mean tent.

[colorado tanker]

I think you guys have your houses confused. The House leadership seems firmly in the hands of conservatives. I've never heard Dick Armey or Tom Delay called RINO's. Now as to the Senate, I sure agree with you that we've got a Lott of wets in the leadership. Don't even get me started.

[XDemocrat]

I wonder if Watts' retirement could somehow be tied to the reported scandal a few years back. I remember seeing it and thinking it was a liberal hit piece, but??? Try this link.
http://www.pbs.org/insidepbs/n ews/jcwatts.html

[AppyPappy]

He was too conservative.