Reagan Has No Chance to Defeat MX Cap, Senator Believes : Nunn’s Rising Influence Reaches White House

As Georgia Democrat Sam Nunn explained it to Senate colleagues during a crucial debate Wednesday on limiting MX missile deployment, President Reagan was like the man in the Christian parable who held a bird in his hand and could not decide whether it was alive or dead.

Reagan could go along peaceably with Nunn’s plan to cap the controversial missile program at 40--tantamount to letting the bird live, in Nunn’s view. Or, the 46-year-old senator explained, the President could, as he has in the past, complain that MX curbs rob the nation of an important bargaining chip at U.S.-Soviet arms talks--a stance akin to squeezing the bird to death.

Nunn’s message was clear: The Republican President had no chance to defeat the cap and should put the best face on the situation.

Receives Phone Call

Moments after finishing his story, Nunn was called off the floor to answer the telephone. “I’d be delighted to take more questions,” he said before leaving, “but I’m being called by the fellow with the bird in his hand.”

The influence of Nunn, a low-key but highly respected Southern moderate, has been steadily growing on Capitol Hill as debate on the nation’s defenses occupies more and more of Congress’ time.

The ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, he is widely considered to be the Senate’s preeminent expert on military matters, with Republicans and Democrats alike frequently seeking his counsel. Although he is not a spellbinding orator, when Nunn speaks on military affairs, the Senate listens.

His Support Sought

So too, quite often, does the White House, which frequently has relied on Nunn’s support to muster votes for key legislation. For example, even while opposing Reagan on MX limits, Nunn has agreed to co-sponsor an Administration compromise plan to funnel $18 million in humanitarian aid to rebels fighting Nicaragua’s leftist regime.

Republicans routinely give the Democratic Nunn high marks for his no-nonsense, thoughtful approach to tough issues.

“Nunn is a key player,” a high-ranking GOP staff member in the Senate said. “There is an incredible amount of respect for him here. The White House knows they have to work with Nunn to make some things happen.”

However, Nunn’s influence can also work against White House wishes when he opposes the Administration, as on the MX cap.

Nunn’s preeminence in military affairs in a sense predates his entry into the Senate. Carl Vinson, years ago the chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, was Nunn’s uncle. When Nunn began his Senate career in 1973, Congress was gripped by the Vietnam-era disillusionment with the military establishment, and few senators and congressmen were willing to show much interest in defense issues. Nunn, however, was an exception and quickly filled the void.