WASHINGTON WATCH: CAN REPUBLICANS DO ANY BETTER THAN CLINTON?

In hopes of presenting a "positive message" that attracts voters fed up with the political process and its negativism, over 350 Republican candidates for Congress gathered on the steps of the Capitol Tuesday to sign what they called a "Contract with America." In a postcard-perfect ceremony with American flags whipping in the wind and military band in the background playing patriotic hymns, Republican after Republican signed the compact, pledging, if elected, to vote "to cut federal spending, reduce taxes and get the government off the backs of the American people."The contract, which is composed of 10 specific pieces of legislation, includes a balanced budget amendment, welfare reform act, family and middle class tax cuts, economic growth and regulatory reform and term limits.

When asked why the Republicans were taking the risk of putting out something specific that Democrats could attack, House minority whip Newt Gingrich stressed that it wasn't enough for Republicans to simply run against President Clinton."Our government operates on the party system," Gingrich said. "We are a team. And we're offering you a contract on what our team will do. ... If we don't accomplish what we pledged, throw us out."To a question on why health care and campaign finance reform weren't addressed in the plan even though Republican leaders have spoken previously of a desire to take action on them in the next congress, Gingrich responded: "We have made a promise about what we will and can do in the first 100 days. I don't think these issues can be solved in 100 days. It will take more input than that."Democratic criticism of the Republican contract was swift, most calling it reheated Reaganism."I think what we have here isn't so much positive, but everything Republicans ran on during Reagan's heyday," said Rep. Vic Fazio, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Laura D'Andrea Tyson, chairman of President Clinton's Council of Economic Advisers, derided the plan as "Voodoo Two." "The numbers don't even come close to adding up," she said in a Washington Post interview.

Not all Republicans were happy with the plan either. Some social conservatives criticized it for failing to address issues like school choice and school prayer."'Contract with America' is fine as far as it goes," Free Congress Foundation President Paul Weyrich told the Washington Times. "However, the document fails to address many of the concerns of the cultural conservatives and as such is incomplete. Republicans take social-issue conservatives for granted at their own peril."Meanwhile, the media generally did its best to ignore the substance of the contract in the days immediately following the signing, choosing to focus instead on a Republican fund-raiser held the night of the event, where Republican lawmakers and candidates were honored at a $500-per-person dinner.

Still, there is no question the Republican contract has resonance throughout the country. When asked in polls about each specific plank of the plan, voters indicate strong support. No item receives less than 60 percent approval, and many of the points are endorsed by as much as 80 percent of the electorate."We stand with the American people on these major issues," the Republicans seemed to be saying. It's a case that Democrats, especially with Clinton, Foley and Gephardt at their head, have difficulty matching. Whether the message gains enough foothold with American voters to elect the first Republican majority in the House of Representatives since 1954, however, won't be known until Nov. 8. LOCAL NOTESA clear crowd favorite at the "Contract with America" gathering was Ron Freeman, who is running in the Missouri congressional district Alan Wheat represents. Freeman gave a rousing address on the American dream, stressing how community, the individual and private enterprise working together have made the United States prosperous. Derided were those people -- Democratic politicians, in particular -- who look to more government as the central solution to the nation's problems. Freeman's impassioned words not only brought extended cheers from the crowd, but his impromptu jokes drew widespread laughter. Even the national media, which seemed at great pain not to give any hint of personal response to the events before them, perked up when Freeman began to talk. In a local note, Freeman, a political newcomer who faces an uphill battle to be elected, is being assisted in his campaign by Cape Girardeau resident and Stoddard County native Michael Session, a former Capaha Arrow columnist and frequent contributor to the opinion page of the Southeast Missourian. A story not before reported about Session's internship with the 5th District congressional hopeful revolves around a summer Freeman campaign appearance by Republican private-enterprise champion Jack Kemp. Session, as unabashedly pro-private enterprise as a person can be, slipped a note to Kemp outlining several problems with current discourse in Bill Clinton's America. Kemp, obviously impressed, responded by telling Freeman he had a "one-man think tank" in Session.

In another local note, former Cape Girardeau assistant prosecuting attorney Kenny Hulshof, who is the Republican congressional candidate in Missouri's 9th District, came to the podium as part of the group that helped draft the portion of "Contract with America" entitled "Taking Back our Streets." Although he was not the designated speaker, Hulshof continued the theme with media after the event, driving home the message that it was time Congress listened to the American people about crime and other issues. Hulshof, too, faces an uphill battle in his race, made somewhat less steep by President Clinton's low popularity levels in his district. Word is that Democratic incumbent Harold Volkmer is pleading for more money from lobbyists to combat a surging Hulshof campaign.

Finally, Bill Emerson, the Republican incumbent in Missouri's 8th District who was present at "Contract with America" but did not take a leading role, issued a press release afterwards outlining the 10-point plan: "For the last 40 years, the liberal majority controlling Congress simply hasn't allowed these key issues to have a chance to be aired or voted upon the House floor. ... The American people have told us these are their chief concerns. It's time for the Congress to listen; it's time to change the liberal majority that calls the shots."For a congressman who has often been worn down and frustrated by the one-sided rules Democrats force upon Republicans in the House, prospects of a GOP majority must be sweet indeed. Much can happen in the five and a half weeks between now and election day. But at this point, while Democrats cringe, Republicans are dreaming like they've never dreamed before.

Jon K. Rust is a Washington-based writer for the Southeast Missourian.