Democrats Face Upheaval Over Wright, Coelho

With the resignation of Speaker Jim Wright (D-Tex.) apparently imminent and the departure of Majority Whip Tony Coelho (D-Merced) certain, the Democratic leadership in the House is about to undergo sweeping changes under circumstances unparalleled in recent times.

House Majority Leader Thomas S. Foley of Washington is still regarded as all but certain to move up to the Speaker’s post.

But a wide open battle is expected for majority leader and whip, the No. 2 and No. 3 Democratic leadership positions in the House. The outcome of those contests, which are likely to bring individuals with different styles and priorities to the fore, could substantially change the nature of the Democratic leadership.

Most Visible Spokesmen

And the congressional leadership positions are especially important to the Democrats because, after their repeated failures to capture the White House, the occupants of these posts are often the party’s most visible spokesmen.

Both Wright and Coelho have been brought low by investigations into their personal finances.

The House Ethics Committee has cited Wright, a 36-year House veteran, for 69 violations of House rules. While associates of the Speaker said Friday he was seriously considering resigning next week to avoid a possible reprimand by the House, Wright remained silent about his intentions.

He was expected to stay in seclusion over the Memorial Day weekend. One option that he is reported to be considering is resigning Wednesday, with appearances before the House Democratic caucus and the full House.

Coelho, who has served the Central Valley of California in Congress for 10 years, told associates late Friday that he planned to step aside June 15, on his 47th birthday. The Justice Department has launched a preliminary investigation of Coelho’s $6,882 profit from a “junk bond” that he bought with the help of an executive of Columbia Savings and Loan of Beverly Hills.

News of Coelho’s decision to resign from Congress stunned House Democrats. Rep. Beryl Anthony Jr. of Arkansas, interviewed on television, said he was shocked and saddened by Coelho’s decision. But he termed the Democratic Party sufficiently resilient to survive this setback.

“We have honest, capable people who will seek these positions,” said Anthony, who could himself become a candidate for a leadership post. “There is an enormous talent pool within the party.”

‘Bloodletting’ Possible

Rep. Robert T. Matsui (D-Sacramento) said there could be as many as three candidates for each of the No. 2 and No. 3 Democratic leadership positions. He acknowledged the possibility of “bloodletting” in the party as candidates battle for votes.

The resignations of both Wright and Coelho in the same week will create a wide open battle for the No. 2 and No. 3 Democratic positions in the House. “I’ve never seen our party in such disarray as it is now,” said a Democratic member who declined to be identified. “This is scary. There’s going to be a panic.”

Jenkins to Run

One apparently certain candidate for the majority leader’s job, which is expected to be left vacant by Foley’s elevation to Speaker, is Ed Jenkins of Georgia, a Southern moderate who is highly respected in the House. Jenkins has already said he would seek to replace Foley.

Jenkins, the eighth-ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee who was praised for his role in the Iran-Contra investigation, is a 12-year House veteran who enjoys the support of Ways and Means Chairman Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.).

A second possible candidate for majority leader, erstwhile Democratic presidential candidate Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri, told Coelho early Friday that he would not seek the Democrats’ No. 2 job as long as Coelho was in line for it. Coelho and Gephardt are longtime political allies.

But Matsui said Gephardt would have to reconsider that decision in light of Coelho’s extraordinary decision to resign.

Likewise, Matsui said, Rep. Lee H. Hamilton of Indiana, who chaired the House Iran-Contra investigating committee, would have to consider his chances of becoming majority leader.

Only late Friday did such speculation begin. Earlier, one source close to Coelho predicted that if the majority leader’s post became vacant, Coelho “would be in the race with both feet, and he would be running to win.”

Coelho’s decision also created a wide open race for his current job, House Democratic whip, which ranks third in the Democratic leadership ladder.

Rep. David E. Bonior of Michigan, now chief deputy whip, was reportedly prepared to try to advance one more step if the whip’s job became open.

Rep. William H. Gray III of Pennsylvania, the first black congressman to head the Democratic caucus, was also expected to try for the post.

Anthony, another possible contender, was reported to be ready to run as a Southern candidate if Jenkins failed in his race for the No. 2 position. But he reportedly recognized that the House was unlikely to install Southerners in both the second- and third-ranking leadership posts.

Premium on Honesty

Foley seemed the only certain victor as Wright’s successor as Speaker. The fact that ethical questions lie at the heart of Wright’s and Coelho’s difficulties put a special premium on integrity in the selection of new party leaders.

Foley, who has a reputation for personal honesty, is accorded great respect by his fellow Democrats but some House liberals have complained that he is too ready to compromise and is not tough enough to deal with the White House and an increasingly aggressive Republican minority.

Until Wright announces his plans, however, the House Democratic caucus cannot even be called into session to choose a successor. So the maneuvering for votes has been going on behind the scenes.