NoNoNo UnceUnceUncerrr ainainain THE NEWSLETTER OF THE TERM LIMITS MOVEMENT April 2000 • VOLUME 8 • NUMBER 4 terms Self-Limiters Make the Cut The Club For Growth Endorses Four Self-Limiter Candidates

The Club For Growth, a non-profit political ment says. “All Club members have a shared advocacy organization, recently endorsed a goal of helping elect more Reaganite, economic group of several congressional candidates that growth-oriented office seekers.” included four self-limiters. Given this goal, it’s no The Club’s recommen- surprise that self-limiters dations included Mark made such a strong Nielsen (CT-5), Jeff Flake showing in the Club’s (AZ-1), Ric Keller (FL-8), endorsements. Over and and Charlie Gerow (PA- over, self-limited mem- 19), who have all signed bers of Congress have the U.S. Term Limits demonstrated an over- Declaration. whelming tendency to “The Club for Growth fight for more respon- is a membership organi- sible government in zation of thousands of likeminded political every regard. Their self-limiting pledges give contributors from across the country who are them the freedom to stand up to established frustrated with the ideological drift of both special interests and hold government account- parties today,” the organization’s mission state- continued on page 2

I Message from Popular Support N Paul Jacob — page 2 America Overwhelmingly Lawmaking Supports Term Limits Transformed S Americans favor term Congress. — page 3 limits almost three to one, The poll also found that I according to a nationwide 59.1% of voters would be more They Said It poll conducted in January by likely to support a congressional D – page 6 the nationally reknowned candidate who favored term Candidate Spotlight polling firm John limits and pledged to serve no E — page 7 McLaughlin & Associates. more than three terms. The poll results show that The poll interviewed 1000 The Last Word 68.8% of voters favor placing likely voters, and has a margin — page 8 term limits on members of of error of +/- 3.1%. April 2000 Issue No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits 1 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org Message from the National Director “Without a Vision” Close your eyes for 3 seconds — not if you’re on thumbs than take a political the road right now though — and imagine what you risk to advance the issues would do if you were in the Congress. Fight for new they claim to care about. legislation? Repeal misguided old statutes? Block pork- Commentator Robert barrel spending? Combat corruption? Novak says, “They lack Our dreams shape our horizons; they’re an inspira- courage because they are professional politicians. tion and a challenge to do our best. That “vision-thing” They are much more worried about the next is important. If we don’t envision it, we don’t attempt election, about keeping their majority, about keep- it. Now, I don’t want to start preaching, but the Bible ing their seats, than they are about having the itself says, “Without a vision, my people perish.” courage do the right thing.” Good point. Take Senator Trent Lott from Mississippi. He leads There’s nothing wrong with wanting to win the Republican majority in the U.S. Senate. Asked by elections. But to junk your agenda simply to hold reporters what he hoped to accomplish this year, Lott on to power? Power to do what? replied: “We don't have to score a touchdown, we just have to control the clock.” Huh? Republicans have the ball, and they ain’t exactly winning out there on the field, and all they want to do is run out the clock? Lott and those like him would rather stay in Washington twiddling their

Four Self-Limiters endorsement by the Club, also Keller’s home state of Florida Endorsed by Club has the approval of Rep. Matt has a strong term limits record, continued from page 1 Salmon (R-AZ), the self-limiter which he hopes to become a able for its misuse of power. whose open seat Flake hopes part of. A full-page profile of Nielsen is an attorney in a to fill. him can be found on page 7 Danbury, Connecticut, law “I can think of no one who of this newsletter. firm and has served as a is better prepared to make a Gerow, also an attorney, has Connecticut state senator, real difference in Washington spent several years as Pennsyl- where he has opposed waste- than Jeff Flake,” commented vania state Chairman of Citi- ful spending and fought to citizen legislator Salmon at a zens Against Government impose strong structural press conference last Septem- Waste, and was the second limitations on government ber, adding that he believed recipient of the “Career growth. Flake would continue to “rock Award” issued by Citizens Flake, in addition to an the boat.” Against Higher Taxes.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS No Uncertain Terms is published 12 times a year at an annual subscription price of Peter Ackerman Travis Anderson $30. Third class postage paid, APRIL 2000 • VOLUME 8• NUMBER 4 Steven Baer Terence Considine Washington, D.C. POSTMASTER: Send EDITED BY ERIC D. DIXON Edward Crane Cora Fields address changes to U.S. Term Limits. A Publication of Mike Ford M. Blair Hull U.S. TERM LIMITS and Sally Reed Impastato Paul Jacob Term Limits On-Line! U.S. TERM LIMITS FOUNDATION Kenneth Langone Ronald Lauder For the latest developments on term 10 G ST., NE, SUITE 410 Rob Mosbacher Paul Raynault limits across America, visit our web site WASHINGTON, D.C. 20002 Howard Rich Joseph Stilwell on the Internet at 1-800-733-6440 Donna Weaver Bill Wilson http://www.ustermlimits.org

2 No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits April 2000 Issue 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org Lawmaking Transformed Term Limits Bring Wholesale Change Into Legislatures by Francis X. Clines, The New York Times

As term limits gradually take effect in 18 state percent a decade ago, and Hispanics hold 19 percent legislatures across the country, the time strictures so of the seats, up from 6 percent. popular with voters are turning seasoned leaders from Comparable changes in representation are hoped office, nipping political careers and prompting un- for by proponents here and in Florida, where substan- usual party maneuvers. tial legislative turnover is also approaching. The first A new sort of fast-forward politicking spawned by year of term limits in Florida will find 55 of the 120 term limits is exemplified here in Ohio, where the members of the lower house and 11 of 40 state sena- majority Republican leadership is trying to name three tors displaced in the November elections. “It’s going statehouse speakers to serve over to bring about better government,” the next three years before term Gov. Jeb Bush predicts. limits take effect with this “I’m onto my The intricate musical-chair November’s elections. third finance leadership deal being tried in Ohio Such fleeting leadership is a far is denounced as back-room despera- cry from fabled legislative bosses committee chair- tion by the Democratic minority. like the late Speaker Vern Riffe, man in the last But it is defended by Republicans as who fiercely wielded the Ohio gavel the only recourse for heading off a for two decades. But it is one of the year,” said the state of constant caucus infighting new laws of compressed politicking current speaker, because of the large-scale turnover being forged under term limits, in dictated by the eight-year term limit which the affected states have Jo Ann Davidson, (four two-year terms in the House, initially been seeing a third or more two four-year terms in the Senate) of their incumbents forced to amazed at how that is about to begin. The Republi- depart. fast this tradi- cans are trying to project two future Such fleeting leadership is a far speakers even though they cannot cry from fabled legislative bosses tionally powerful be sure future voters will retain the like the late Speaker Vern Riffe, plum of a job has Republican majority needed to who fiercely wielded the Ohio gavel guarantee the tricky deal. for two decades. But it is one of the been turning In the first year, the new limits new laws of compressed politicking over. mean that 43 members of the 99- being forged under term limits, in member Ohio House elected in 1998, which the affected states have plus 6 of the 33 sitting senators, initially been seeing a third or more of their incum- cannot run again. The wrenching effect, similar to bents forced to depart. that experienced in other statehouses with term limits, Similar wholesale disruptions of political life, with begins with the traditional leadership posts where local and county politicials moving more quickly into seniority has long been a dominant factor. the statehouse, have been taking place in the six “I’m onto my third finance committee chairman in states that have instituted term limits since 1996. Five the last year,” said the current speaker, Jo Ann more, led by Ohio and Florida, are introducing limits Davidson, amazed at how fast this traditionally this year, while another seven are to have them in powerful plum of a job has been turning over. Quali- effect by 2007. fied lawmakers, doomed by their long experience, California, a pioneer in term limits, saw its have been resigning early over the past year to find statehouse leadership initially decimated, but propo- fresh career opportunities. As a practical matter, the nents emphasize that a younger and more diverse crop of lawmakers took office there. One out of four continued on page 4 legislators in Sacramento is now a woman, up from 17

April 2000 Issue No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits 3 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org continued from page 3 eight-year maximum is already through uncharted territory.” said Representative Larry House- amounting to something less than Visiting lawmakers from holder, the assistant majority seven years. Michigan, where term limits went leader, who is slated to be the big Just a few years ago, term into effect last year, cautioned winner in the announced tandem limits proved popular with the their Ohio colleagues to expect speakership. A freshman lawmaker public, getting better than 70 such phenomena as a much more only two years ago, Mr. House- percent approval in some states highly compressed style of ambi- holder began an early and ener- where they were enacted through tion. getic campaign for the leadership. referendums. Now, even as the “Freshmen must literally make He sensed the term-limit train public push for limits is appearing their move for the speakership by coming down the line and trav- to wane, there is evidence that the end of their first term,” said eled the state with campaign signs threatened legislators are having the Ohio House minority leader, as he went door to door to enlist second thoughts. Jack Ford, a Democrat. statehouse Republicans. Bills to repeal or liberalize “We decry the speakers deal,” “I campaigned for it,” said Mr. term limits were submitted last Mr. Ford said, contending that Householder, a 40-year-old insur- year in 7 of the 18 states that ance salesman who is supposed to have adopted them, said Jennie share the gavel next year and Drage of the National Conference Evidence of the hold it outright thereafter for the of State Legislatures. None have rapidly altered final three years of his legislative thus far passed. Meanwhile, career, assuming he is re-elected statehouse leaders are trying to politics of term during that time. His partner in adapt to the new climate by limits abounds, the unusual arrangement will be assigning newcomers to intensive Representative Bill Harris, a 65- training in mock debates and whatever the ul- year-old automobile dealer who is committee apprenticeships. term-limited in 2002 and so, in the Evidence of the rapidly altered timate judgment new ways fast-forward politics, politics of term limits abounds, proves to be wants to resign a year early to try whatever the ultimate judgment for the state Senate. proves to be about the quality of about the quality “You can see the turmoil,” said lawmaking in the term-limited of lawmaking in Mr. Harris, who favored term states. limits as a private citizen in 1992, In Florida, four members of the term-limited when voters approved the idea the Jacksonville City Countil states. and the focus was on limiting the quickly announced for open terms of members of Congress. statehouse seats, exemplifying the Since then, the United States greatly accelerated career paths of lobbyists had a hand in concocting Supreme Court has struck down politics in states with term limits. it. “It goes against representative limits in Congress but not in In Ohio’s Hamilton County, four democracy as the epitome of back- statehouses. seats rated safely Republican room arrogance. Imagine trying to As a legislator, Mr. Harris has instantly drew 50 candidates. The decide the leadership before the come to oppose limits as the need opportunity for newcomers pre- lawmakers who have that respon- for critical experience in the sented by term limits has made sibility have even been elected by legislature became clearer to him. the primary slate here next month the people.” His designated successor, Mr. the most crowded in 20 years, But Speaker Davidson said the Householder, is more optimistic with 56 House and 16 Senate deal, uncertain as it may be, is the that term limits can be made to nominations still to be settled. best way to salvage some needed work. “It’s something of a Big Bang,” continuity and avoid perennial “I’m all for it right now,” he Richard Vedder, a political analyst caucus battles. Her designated said. “But I think in ‘04 when I’m at Ohio University in Athens, said. successors agree. term-limited I’ll probably be “People have underestimated the “Term limits presented Ohio scraping my nails across the desk political impact this is going to with a struggle between the past as they drag me out.” have as newcomers try to move and the fast-approaching future,” Excerpted from The New York Times

4 No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits April 2000 Issue 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org The Weekly Radio Commentary of COMMON the U.S. Term Limits Foundation SENSE by Paul Jacob “The Pros”

In football, it doesn’t In California, Michigan, Colorado, Oregon, Arkansas, get any better than the and Maine — where term limits have already gone into NFL. That’s what it means to be a pro. In effect — the new “rookies” are doing just fine AND politics, to be “a pro” means something very different. cleaning up messes left by the old pros. Missouri State Sen. John Schneider has been in Give us the amateurs. An amateur is someone who office for 30 years. He doesn’t like the term limits that does something for the “love of it.” If you aren’t in 75 percent of Missouri voters imposed on the legislature. public office because you love this country, if it’s all With typical arrogance, Schneider has introduced about you and your benefits and your career, then get legislation to water down limits so he can stay even out. longer. Congressman Matt Salmon of Arizona is stepping Comparing legislators to professional football down after six productive years as a citizen legislator. players, he said, “There's a whole lot of difference He puts it another way, “If the NBA operated like between the NFL quarterback who’s a rookie and the Congress, they would have a bunch of fat, old men NFL quarterback who’s got some seasoning.” Oh yeah? shooting free throws.” Missouri is home to the NFL world champion St. Louis Rams who were led this year by an unheralded rookie Does your local radio station carry COMMON SENSE? If not, ask them to call 1-800-733-6440 for a FREE subscription. quarterback who grabbed most valuable player honors Provided to radio stations three times a week. as well as MVP of the Super Bowl. More rookies please.

April 2000 Issue No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits 5 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org They Said It Term Limits the Only Way n the recent monthly publication of the Brown“I County Taxpayers Association, associa- Shaking up Montana Politics tion President Frank Bennett said the 1999-2001 state budget contains hidden taxes and ex- “W hat makes the 2000 election different is amples of taxpayer money being spent ‘without this will be the first affected by the constitu- due process.’ tional amendment Montanans adopted in 1992 “‘The budget process itself proved that term that limits the terms of its elected state officials limits may be the only way that we can keep and lawmakers. In general, the law says an our government officials responsive to our elected official cannot serve more than eight needs,’ Bennet said.” consecutive years at the same post. —Green Bay Press-Gazette “As a result, none of these top officials can run again for the same job in 2000.” —Billings Gazette

“The seed Ohioans planted by approving term limits in 1992 began to bear fruit yesterday. . . . [V]irtually everywhere: fresh new faces on the political scene.” —The Columbis Dispatch

It’s About Time! “T he clock is ticking on Florida’s lawmak- ers, leaving some who have occupied the Career Politicians: For the Birds Statehouse for decades with just two more months to make a lasting impression. “[M ichigan activist Greg] Schmid said “The state’s ‘Eight is Enough’ amendment that part-time legislatures have been effective in takes effect this year is forcing out nearly half several other states and would work well in of the House members and more than a quarter Michigan, especially combined with term limits. of the state senators.” “Once we see a term-limited Legislature with —Associated Press a part-time Legislature we’ll start seeing more important legislation passed instead of argu- ments over the state bird, he said.” —State News (East Lansing, Mich.)

6 No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits April 2000 Issue 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org Candidate Spotlight: Ric Keller — Florida Congressional District 8 Term Limits Legacy

Florida is a great state for term limits. In lower taxes, 1992, its citizens passed term limits on its state smaller legislators by a record 77 percent, and the state government is home to congressional self-limiters Senator and less Connie Mack, Rep. Charles Canady, and Rep. government Tillie Fowler. spending as Now Ric Keller, candidate for Florida’s 8th highlights of Congressional District, plans to join the state’s his platform. legacy of term limits. Keller, who is the only Based on the Republican candidate in the district to sign the record of U.S. Term Limits pledge to limit his own terms most other in office, is running for the open seat left by self-limiters retiring Rep. Bill McCollum. in Congress, Keller’s campaign focuses on reform, with Keller has a Ric Keller good shot at making a real difference. “I am not a career politician,” Keller says. “I “I am not a career have not sold my soul to the lobbyists and special interest groups. I don't want a career in politician. I have not politics. Rather, I want to go to Congress to do sold my soul to the my best to represent you and then come back home.” lobbyists and special Keller brings plenty of real-life experience to interest groups. I don't his campaign, the kind legislators need most. He lives in Orlando with his wife and two want a career in children, where he works as a partner in a law politics. Rather, I want firm, specializing in defending doctors and corporations in medical malpractice and product to go to Congress to do liability suits. Among other community activi- my best to represent ties, he’s served as chairman of the board for a you and then come high school mentoring program in Orlando and Orange County, and in 1996 he co-authored the back home.” Polluter Pays amendment to Florida’s constitu- tion, requiring polluters rather than taxpayers to foot the bill for Everglades cleanup. The amend- — Ric Keller, ment was passed by 68.1% of voters. candidate for Florida’s Making a difference in Washington today requires a strong commitment to remain inde- 8th Congressional pendent of the corrupting influences that result District when politics becomes a career. Taking the term limits pledge is a promising beginning.

April 2000 Issue No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits 7 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org Progress in Ohio Term limits create bevy of open seats By Lee Leonard

The hunting season has opened primaries was set in 1966, when 96 State University. Asher said he for seats in the General Assembly, candidates competed in 34 Senate thinks more campaign money and, in the language of game primaries, and 307 candidates might be spent on capturing open wardens, the harvest is plentiful. fought for party nominations in 96 seats than in districts with en- Because of term limits, more House races. That was the first trenched incumbents. primary-election contests will be election in Ohio after legislative Other states with term limits held for the House and Senate this districts were redrawn to comply have experienced a similar prolif- year than at any time since 1982. with a U.S. Supreme Court order eration of candidates, Farmer said. With numerous lawmakers that districts contain roughly equal Sixty-four of the 110 House ineligible to run because they have populations. members in Michigan, where term reached the maximum eight con- limits began in January 1999, are secutive years in office, 39 districts new this session. Only one of those have no incumbent running. new members did not have a “The open seats have created Because of term primary contest in 1998. more competition,” said Rick Farmer said that after this year, Farmer of the Ray C. Bliss Institute limits, more the number of primary contests of Applied Politics and an assistant primary-election will diminish because most incum- political science professor at the bents are not yet limited by terms, University of Akron. contests will be and about 20 percent of the seats “I think it’s almost exclusively a held [in Ohio] for will be open. For example, only 14 function of open seats,” agreed of the 110 Michigan House mem- House Speaker Pro Tempore the House and bers have reached their term limits Randall Gardner, R-Bowling Green. this year. More than one-third of the Senate this year In Ohio, 49 of the 99 members House members will be new a year than at any time elected in 1998 could not run in from now. They will need a crash 2000 because they reached their course in how the Statehouse since 1982. maximum eight years of service. works, and the pace of legislation Twelve left for other jobs and one might be slowed to accommodate died, leaving 36 members limited them. It forced state officials to carve by terms. In addition, two members There are six primary contests in out districts in cities where legisla- who have not reached their maxi- the Senate for the 16 seats at stake, tive candidates had run at large, mum years of service are seeking compared with 56 contests involv- and to combine some sparsely other offices, and one did not seek ing 150 Republican and Democratic populated counties that had en- re-election, creating 39 open House candidates for the 99 House seats. joyed their own representative. seats. Those numbers might diminish Now, fresh candidates are jump- Districts will be redrawn for the slightly as candidates drop out or ing at the chance to run in dis- 2002 elections to reflect population are disqualified for insufficient tricts where there is no incumbent shifts in the 2000 census. The signatures they filed Jan. 7 for the with the advantages of name reapportionment will be controlled March 7 primary. recognition and funding from by Republicans, who have all three In 1982, the year after legislative Columbus lobbyists and party executive branch officials on the districts were redrawn, the Senate caucuses. five-member Apportionment Board had seven contested primaries with “Open seats are more winnable and one legislator. 22 candidates, while the House had than when you have an incum- 63 contests with 159 candidates. bent,” said Herbert Asher, a former Excerpted from the Columbus Dispatch The modern record for contested political science professor at Ohio

8 No Uncertain TERMS • U.S. Term Limits April 2000 Issue 10 G St., NE • Washington, DC 20002 • http://www.ustermlimits.org