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It's all about leadership. Not on My Watch!By Rick Horowitz Dear Newt Welcome back to Washington! I hope your vacation was a restful one -- nobody deserved a little breather more than you did. As you might imagine, we've been pretty busy getting ready to take up "the reins of leadership" in the 106th Congress. I'm excited about what lies ahead, and when you have a moment, I'd like to get together with you to discuss our plans for the next two years, and also to get your help on one or two matters still pending in the 105th. Sincerely, Bob Livingston
Dear Bob: Thanks for your note -- it was nice to hear from you. You're absolutely right: It was good to put some distance between me and the whole Washington scene. Now that I'm back, I feel a great sense of completion and closure. I've been pretty busy myself, as I'm sure you've heard, packing boxes and posing for pictures with all the staffers from all over the Hill who've come by to thank me for my years of service. But I'll be happy to hear what you've got planned -- let's try to have lunch right after the first of the year. Cordially, Newt Gingrich
Dear Newt Thanks for your quick reply. A New Year's lunch sounds fine, but I'm hoping we can get together even sooner than that. Not just for the pleasure of your company, which I've always enjoyed, but also to get your input on one lingering issue from the current Congress: impeachment. We seem to be moving toward the end of it (at last!), but there's some confusion in our ranks over just how to handle the final stages of the thing. As you've been the Speaker during this entire process, I'm sure you'll want to have a major say on how to bring it all to an appropriate conclusion. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if you'd prefer to have the whole thing wrapped up before you finish your term. I look forward to hearing your thoughts at your earliest convenience. Warmly, Bob
Dear Bob: Did I mention what a sense of completion I've been feeling? I agree wholeheartedly that impeachment has to be dealt with very gingerly, and I'm sure that you and your new leadership team will do just that when the time comes. I'll be watching with interest. Best regards, Newt
Dear Newt: I've got your latest note, and I can't help feeling a sense of disappointment. As loyal Republicans, we've always looked to you for your keen insight and bold vision. I hope that we can rely on you for one last act of statesmanship, to help put this troublesome matter behind us and to let us start the new year with a clean slate. Yours, Bob
Dear Bob: I guess you forgot about my insight and my vision when you decided to run for Speaker. I'm afraid you're on your own on this one. Send my best to those "loyal" Republicans. Very truly yours, Newt
Dear Newt: I certainly understand if your feelings were bruised by the way things turned out, but I'm still convinced that all of us can rise above our petty disagreements and come together for the good of the party. Can we count on your help to get us out of this mess? Your friend, Bob
Dear "Friend": Who are you calling petty, you back-stabbing weasel sneak traitor! You and your pals should rot in hell for what you did to me! Best wishes for the new year. Sincerely, Newt Posted
12/4/98. Have you told your friends about this place? What
are you waiting for?
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