Editorial: House divided is harmful

Thursday, June 10, 1999 | 10:25 a.m.

Many accusatory fingers have been pointed at House Speaker Dennis Hastert, charging that he has failed to exert his leadership by reining in separate mutinies within his party by both moderates and conservatives. When he became speaker, Hastert was praised because he was the antithesis of his polarizing predecessor, Newt Gingrich. Now Hastert is being criticized for the very style -- nonconfrontational and easygoing -- that once was so highly commended.

In an effort to restore discipline, Hastert held a meeting with Republican members on Tuesday, sternly telling them that they would have to follow him or have the GOP risk losing the majority in the 2000 elections. The no-nonsense talk by Hastert, an ex-wrestling coach, offers a ray of hope. Even conservative members who had been voting against Hastert's wishes on appropriations bills now seem willing to back him.

Hastert's next daunting task is reassuring Democrats the GOP is sincere about passing gun control legislation. Democrats fear that failing to hold hearings in the Judiciary Committee will hurt the bill's chances. But the reality is the committee is loaded with conservatives who would not support any gun control legislation. So it is difficult to find fault with Hastert and the rest of the GOP leadership for moving the bill directly to the House floor.

Hastert appears to have found his footing, but he needs to stay on track and display the leadership that instills confidence in both Republicans and Democrats. If Hastert can sustain this momentum, then the American people will benefit if it results in the passage of bipartisan legislation.