WASHINGTON INSIGHT

NOT MUCH LEFT: Because so many moderate Democratic members of the House of Representatives were wiped out in the GOP’s midterm election deluge last month, most political analysts have assumed that the Democratic contingent in the new 104th Congress would not only be smaller--by about 50 seats--but also more liberal. Not so, according to figures compiled by Americans for Democratic Action, which bills itself as “the nation’s premier liberal organization.” ADA’s average rating for Democrats in the 103 Congress, based on votes on 20 key pieces of legislation, was 75% in the first session and 70% in the second. But the average score for the 197 returning members, as compiled by ADA, is only 68%. ADA national director Amy Isaacs claims that once voters realize how far right the new Congress has moved, they “will be astonished and demand more compassionate government.”

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KEEPS ON GIVING: At first glance, it may not appear unusual that Sorrell Booke, the Encino actor who played Boss Hogg on television’s “The Dukes of Hazzard,” would give a campaign contribution to former Rep. Ben Jones (D-Ga.), who used to co-star on the show. Booke’s $250 contribution to Jones, who tried unsuccessfully to unseat Rep. Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), was in the form of a Booke-signed check dated Nov. 4. Trouble is, Booke died nine months earlier. Jones’ campaign officials say there really is no irregularity: The check was from Booke’s trust, not from Booke himself, and is signed by trustee Frederick D. Booke. “Mr. Booke did not come back from the dead,” said Bobby Kahn, Jones’ treasurer. “And unfortunately, enough voters didn’t come back from the dead either.”

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MAYBE, MAYBE NOT: The Rev. Jesse Jackson is opening state chapters of his National Rainbow Coalition in Iowa and New Hampshire, states traditionally viewed as early testing grounds for White House aspirants, but he’s being coy about the possibility of making a third bid for the presidency. “It is premature to make that decision,” said Jackson, announcing the formation of chapters in Iowa, New Hampshire, California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan and Georgia. Despite his determined ducking and weaving, Jackson fueled the speculation game by sounding themes that sounded familiar to anyone who heard the “Keep Hope Alive” campaign speeches he gave during his 1984 and 1988 presidential runs. In any case, he said he is in no hurry to make up his mind, even though some presidential hopefuls are already organizing their campaigns. “Some people have to run early because they run slow,” he said. “Some people have long strides and know where they have to go.”

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ONE FOR THE ROAD: Sometimes it pays to leave well enough alone. The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy wanted to let everyone know that it had listed the wrong location in an earlier press release about a scheduled briefing. But someone must have spiked the holiday punch, because the headline on the corrected announcement--”Drug Policy Director Salutes National Drunk and Drugged Driving Month”--was missing a critical word that was supposed to appear in next-to-last position: Prevention.