NEWT'S NIGHTMARE

HIS RIVAL DICK GEPHARDT IS EYEING TO TAKE OVER THE HOUSE. BUT HAVE THE DEMOCRATS LEARNED FROM THEIR MISTAKES?

As he stood before a group of senior citizens in Des Moines, Iowa, recently, Richard Gephardt was reminded that their cheers were at best a halfhearted embrace. The House Democratic leader had come to Iowa to stump for congressional candidates and to rail against Newt Gingrich for attempting to slash Medicare spending. The Republicans had so bungled their mandate and had pushed such an extreme agenda, Gephardt said, that Democrats should be given another chance. Which made sense to Arlyn Hodson. "We'll see you in the Speaker's seat!" the 66-year-old retired postal worker and Air Force veteran shouted to Gephardt. "Anyone's...

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