DEMOCRACY WATCH : Commons Touch

The British prime minister was addressing the House of Commons. His subject: the latest devaluation of the pound. “Rubbish,” cried the opposition as he explained why the painful move had been necessary. The prime minister, undeterred, proceeded with his explanation. “Rubbish,” came the cry, louder still.

“We’ll come to your special interest in a moment,” the prime minister declared with aplomb, and concluded his speech.

Americans favor garbage over rubbish; but, dialectology aside, we shall listen with interest to such cries as may arise in the House of Representatives if and when President Clinton accepts an invitation from House Majority Leader Richard A. Gephardt (D-Mo.) and defends his economic recovery plan in parliamentary give-and-take a l’anglaise.

When George Washington risked such exposure he didn’t care for his reception; he never ventured back. George had successfully foiled the efforts of those who wanted to crown him king, but he--and not a few of his successors--favored a regal distance from restive congressional barons if not from loyal subjects.

Rough public handling of the American chief executive has been reserved for the Fourth Estate; and Clinton, be it well noted, has yet to hold his first formal press conference. If, in effect, he holds that first conference on Capitol Hill and if he manages to reduce the august legislators to the humble status of clamoring reporters, he may build his own prestige and enhance the prospects of his economic program.

On the other hand. . . .