Term-Ites Biting Into King Weasel

What rotten timing for Congressman George Nethercutt.

Another re-election controversy erupts and the folks most likely to defend him are “at the lake.” Those left behind are not amused by the latest signs that the affable representative is being seduced by our shady campaign finance system.

Here’s the dirt: As our local Hamlet was pondering (wink, wink) whether to keep his term limits pledge and leave office in 2000, a king’s ransom was pouring into his campaign war chest courtesy of political action committees. What’s more, the amount of PAC money to date far outweighs contributions from individuals. Nethercutt had pledged that such money would make up only about one-third of his fund-raising total.

Yes, it seems he has become - all together now - just another career politician beholden to special interests. The marquee for this horror show should read, “PAC Rat Meets Politics As Usual.” Yet, I feel sorry for Mr. Nethercutt. He’s taking an awful pounding from the brass knuckle bunch at U.S. Term Limits.

I recall the heart-rending story of how Frank Sinatra once saved Don Rickles’ life. It seems that after one of his Vegas shows in which he zinged Ol’ Blue Eyes for his mob connections, Rickles found himself in an alley with a couple of strangers in the night - and they weren’t exchanging glances. Just as Rickles was about to lose consciousness, Sinatra strolls up and says, “That’s enough, boys.”

Nethercutt has certainly earned a good brow beating, but even a non-supporter like me wants to step in after watching U.S. Term Limits deliver a barrage of low blows.

So, who are these single-issue bullies who once again are barging into the Fifth District with fistfuls of dollars? Who pays for the cheesy billboards and misleading ads? Who is trying to make the 2000 election a rerun of the 1994 election?

An article in the May 24 edition of The New Republic provides some answers. Writer Ryan Lizza traces the career of U.S. Term Limits leader Paul Jacob, who at the age of 21 was chairman of the Arkansas Libertarian Party. In 1981, he refused to register for the reinstated military draft and was indicted. After eluding the FBI for two years, Jacob was captured and served six months in prison.

As Lizza reports, Jacob remained defiant while behind bars. In a recorded message that was played at a Libertarian Party conference in 1985, Jacob says, “What this time in jail has shown me is that an individual has the power to stand up to (our) massive government and not only endure but also prevail.”

In 1994, while Republicans were bashing President Clinton the draft dodger, they were teaming up with this latter-day version to expel Democrats from Congress.

Once in power, Republicans pursued an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would limit House members to 12 years, or six terms. The GOP was able to gain support from all interest groups - except one. Jacob reminded Republicans that the pledge was for six years, and he wasn’t going to budge. During the ensuing warfare, Jacob hatched his new strategy: stupid activist tricks.

U.S. Term Limits targeted Rep. Bill McCollum of Florida, who forged the 12-year plan. The group ran an ad in McCollum’s district in which his face morphs into that of Fidel Castro. Later, a USTL Web site featured a picture of House Speaker Newt Gingrich with horns sprouting from his head.

Republicans didn’t think it was funny. Neither did such allies as the Christian Coalition and Citizens Against Government Waste. USTL had succeeded in alienating the only friends it had.

We in the Fifth District know the rest of the story. USTL has run deceptive ads against Nethercutt and has introduced King Weasel, the goofy mascot that mirrors the kindergarten mentality of these obsessives. Well, in the spirit of this immaturity, it takes one to know one. USTL has amassed millions in secret donations, but its financiers stay behind the woodwork. When pressed, local mouthpiece Michael Fagan hides behind campaign laws by stating that his group is merely “informational and educational.” Yes, that ad comparing Nethercutt’s flip-flop to Watergate was so educational. And that fib about Nethercutt wanting to breach the Snake River dams was quite informative.

Fagan also maintains that his group isn’t agitating against any particular candidate or telling people how to vote. Even King Weasel winces at that line.

Perhaps the best answer to King Weasel would be a nest of mascots befitting U.S. Term Limits. Picture predatory pests swarming the ballot box and gnawing away at our electoral foundation. Call them Term-ites.

Wherever King Weasel travels, Term-ites could hitch a ride, reminding voters that term limits are more important than Social Security, Medicare, health care, campaign finance reform and all the other issues that are sure to be devoured by the drones of King Draft Dodger.