House Minority Leader Michel Enjoys Political Revival of Sorts

For a time, House Minority Leader Robert H. Michel’s brand of leadership seemed destined for the scrapheap of Republican history.

While his avuncular, straight-from-the-shoulder style endeared him to Republicans and Democrats alike, restless conservative newcomers threatened to push him aside.

No other Republican was more steeped in the traditions and customs of the House or more loyal in carrying out the wishes of the Republican White House.

But many in the House GOP caucus grew impatient with Michel (R-Ill.), convinced that he was being loyal to a fault and was allowing Democratic leaders to treat House Republicans like doormats.

However, in the closing days of Congress, Michel enjoyed a political revival of sorts that has put to rest speculation that he might step down.

House Minority Whip Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) and others who once dismissed Michel as an obstacle to regaining control of the House now praise him as a legislative master.

House Democratic leaders increasingly depend on Michel to broker deals with the White House, as he did recently in ending a five-month deadlock over extended unemployment insurance legislation.

Early this year, Michel helped persuade Congress to give President Bush the authority to make war on Iraq to drive it out of Kuwait.

And last week, Michel, who critics claim is not sufficiently combative, foiled an all-out effort by House Speaker Thomas S. Foley (D-Wash.) to override Bush’s veto of a bill nullifying a ban on abortion counseling at federally funded clinics. It was the 13th consecutive time a Bush veto was sustained.

“Bob is the pivotal guy in our conference,” said Rep. Mickey Edwards (R-Okla.), chairman of the Republican Policy Committee. “We have a real mix--the bomb throwers, the activists, the very frustrated and impatient, and those more inclined to collegiality. Bob is the glue that holds that all together.”

Michel announced recently that he will run for a 19th term, shortly after a three-judge federal panel in Illinois approved a redistricting plan that assured him of a marginally Republican district. The announcement ended months of speculation that he had grown weary of the job and was ready to retire.

Michel, who took an active role in fighting for GOP-crafted remap plans in Illinois and elsewhere, said he was heartened by the results and believes Republicans stand a chance of making inroads in the 102-seat Democratic majority in the House.

The House currently has 268 Democrats, 166 Republicans and one independent. “We’ve got good prospects of picking up 25 seats,” Michel said.

“It might be interesting sometime to see how well I might do being in the majority,” Michel said during a recent interview. “We’ve got a shot at really doing some significant things out there.

“My lot has always been to be in the minority. I don’t relish that. I have to rely on the president all too frequently for leverage because that’s where we are.

“I suppose if I have my detractors, there are those who wonder why I am not more confrontational. . . . But it’s difficult at times to go out on the floor and just beat the hell out of your opposition and then expect them within a half hour to sit down and have a rational discussion.”