Congress Assesses Summit: ‘Hit but Not a Home Run’

President Reagan won muted praise on Capitol Hill today for his performance in his “fireside summit” with Soviet leader Mikhail S. Gorbachev, with legislators saying they were hopeful the talks have reduced superpower tensions but noting that key issues were left unresolved.

House Speaker Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill said he was “more than delighted” that the two leaders had promised to meet again in the future.

“As long as we’re sitting around the table, there is a possibility we can strike a point of agreement,” O’Neill told reporters today, adding that the mere fact of talking indicates an “agreement that there is not going to be a war.”

Majority Leader Jim Wright of Texas said he was encouraged by “the fact that each apparently listened long enough to hear what the other was saying.”

Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, said that “the chemistry is different now and that is very significant.”

Lugar called the meeting “a success for the United States” because “Gorbachev agreed to become more engaged with us by scheduling two more summits and expanding negotiations.”

Sen. Dan Quayle (R-Ind.) called the summit “an important step toward reducing tensions between the two superpowers.”

“At the same time,” Quayle added, “it is apparent that critical issues on the agenda remained unresolved. . . . “

Sen. Wendell H. Ford (D-Ky.) pronounced himself “encouraged” by the talks and called them “the beginning of a long-term dialogue between this country and the Soviet Union.”

Rep. William S. Broomfield (R-Mich.) said it was “a very successful summit” because Reagan achieved his main goal of “a fresh start in our relationship with the Soviet Union.”

Rep. Bill Richardson (D-N.M.) termed the meetings “a success, but not a great success; a hit but not a home run.”

But Rep. Tom Lantos (D-San Mateo) was more critical, saying “nothing was accomplished in either arms control or human rights, the two most critical issues between our countries.”

Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), in a brief floor speech, said, “Overall, the world must regard the summit with polite applause, but not a standing ovation.”