During the Johnson era, the Democratic White House courted Illinois Republican Senator Everett McKinley Dirksen with unabashed political passion. He requited the wooing. The Senate Minority Leader helped pass important L.B.J.-sponsored legislation, and in return reaped prominence and prestige. Ironically, Dirksen's influence has declined since the Republicans won the White House. The reason: he is no longer the foremost elected G.O.P. official in Washington, and Republican Senators look to the President for leadership. Now, instead of cooperating, Dirksen prefers to harass the executive branch.
Last week he continued his guerrilla warfare by delaying senatorial consideration of William Brown, Richard...
