EDITOR'S TABLE OF COWMN ulitzer Prize winning reporter He­ EDITOR'S COLUMN, .... "" .. , .. , .. , .... , .. , .. ,' , .. .. , .... , .. 2 drick Smith's recent book is enti­ P tled "The Power Game," and that PROFILES AND PERSPECTIVES: name fits comfortably with the book's sub­ A. COIIWrsation with HHrick Smidt .. • . .. , ....... .. ....... ... , . • . 3 title: "How Washington Works." Power and Washington are often related, and A CEO'S VIEW OF THE BUDGET PROCESS: Smith's book describes the process in­ AmoHoughton • • • . • .•• • •••• • • • •••• •• •. ••• ••••.•••. •• •.•••• •• • • •• 7 volved in capturing and mainlaining politi­ cal power today_ EDIroRlALS: Platforms and Consensus, In an interview in this Forum, Smith GelUkr Gap and the Racial Di"ide . .................... , .. .. • .. .. .. 8 says that the process is unfortunately be­ coming distorted. According to the former THE MEDICAL LIABILITY CRISIS: A. Time for Action: New York Times Washington bureau chief: Jill C. Greenwald •••••••••••••••• . •• .• ••••••••••••• . .•• . •• . •••••• 12 "One of our great problems in modem politics is lIlat there is a dichotomy be­ IS MOTHER EARTH HEADING FOR A GRAVEYARD ORBIT? tween campaigning and governing. " The Mariano Kurtz ... , . , ... , .. , ........ .. ... , .. , , . .. 14 result, Smith says, is that too much atten­ tion is placed on winning campaigns, and UP AGAINST THE WALL: Religion, PoIiJics and the 100 little emphasis is placed on the essen­ ESlDblisltme," Cltause: tials of governing, such as putting together Alfred W. Tale . .......... , ............ .... ...... , .. , .. •.... , ... 16 bipartisan solutions. The process involved in political de­ THE CHAIRMAN'S CORNER: cisionmaking is also the subject of fonner S&L's: "The LIl~ ofuwraging:" Coming Glass Works chief executive offi­ Jim Leach •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• •• •••• 19 cer and chairman Amo Houghton's article. Houghton, now a member of Congress, examines the budgetary process and says 6 LIBRARY COURT .. , .. , .. , ...... , .. , .. , .. , .. , .. " .. , .. " .. .. 22 that, unlike business, government has no clear budget-making hierarchy. Houghton WASInNGTON NOTES AND QUOTES .. , , .. , , , , ........ , , .. , .... 23 also says that he is amazed by the conflict· ing data presented Congress and argues that more reliable information is needed. Ripon Forum editorial board member Bill Tate examines another issue that chal­ lenges the modem political arena, namely the relalionship between religion and poli­ tics. Tate claims that instead of thinking in tenns of a "wall" between church and state, we should envision a " line " running between religion and politics. According to Tate, a Union Theological Seminary graduate: "The [First Amendment's) es· tablishment clause does not prevent ap­ RIPON/orum peals to religious convictions. What it pre­ vents is the use of coercion in any form by Editor: William P. Mcknzie In the publication the Society hopes 10 Vista and other voIun~ . OvellUl. any side in political debates." .... uoc...,., Editor: DlIe E. CUrti5 provide a forum for frub idu.-i, well add S6. Please allow five weeks for Perhaps these articles, plus Jim Leach's .... "1$14111 Edilor: Mariann Kwtz ~lIed propoWs, and I spirit of addrcos changes. EdiloritU BosnI: crutive critidsm and inDOValion in the column on savings and loans and Mariann The Ripon Society Inc ., Mort E. Un. ~nce M. O'SuUiVlJI Republican Piny. Manuscripts I nd capher. pre5ident. is I RepubliclJl ~ Kurtz's report on the environment, will Alfred W. Tate Su:ven B. Kli!lSty photographs an: solicited, but do not ocan:h and policy organiu,lion who5e Gem E. Mqer G. il L. Slo<;um ~nl the view5 Qithe Society un· help the next administration understand members an: business, acadc:mic, and CIHU"IltuJI: R. I. Matson less 50 stated. £H.C" profenional men . nd women. It is "the power game" and determine its prior· .... " Dil'tcUW: Robey Graphics ities. SecQnd claM posuoge and fees paid al headquartered in Washington, D.C., Wasttingron. D.C. and additional mail · with National Associlte members THE RIPON FORUM USN 0035- - Bill McKenzie ing offoces . Postmaster: Send addrus Ihrov.f»out the United SI.I\($. The S0>­ 5526) i5 publi5hcd bi-moolhly in 1988 changes 10 Ripon Forum. 6 Library ciety i5 supported by clLapter dues. in­ by The Ripon Society. Contents an: COlIn, S.E., Washingron. D.C. 2(00). dividual contributions, and levenues copyrighted 1988 by the Ripon Society. from its publicationl; . Inc., 6 Ubraly Court, S.E .. Washing. Subs.:ription ralCli: $2.'5 per year, SI7 .SO ton. D.C. 20003. f... students. se",icemen. f'IIacc Corps. 2 Rlf'all FORUM, flKNEMBER 1988 PROFILES AND PERSPECTIVES A Conversation With HEDRICK SMITH Ripon Forum: In your book, "The Power Game: How Washington Really Works," you talk repeatedly about the importance of a president's first 100 days. What should be the priorities for George "One cf our great Bush or Michael Dukakis during their first 100 days? probknliinAJnerican politics is that there is a Smith: Either person is going to have to deaJ with the econontic situation. both in diclwtomy between terms of the domestic budget and the na­ tionaJ debt. and with American compet­ campaigning and itiveness. The latter not only includes our governing. " ability to market abroad. but aJso to sus­ f'bo(o by George Tames tain our capacity to make the world's best supercomputers, to provide research and Hedrick Smith's career as a journalist development, and ultimately to regenerate spans six U.S. presidents, and in his new our industries. book "The Power Game: How Washington These issues are not susceptible to put together coalitions? Works" the former New York Times re­ quick fixes and will require a maximum porter details huw power is acquired and test of a president's capacity to build co­ Smith: The great tragedy is that the presi­ wielded in Washington. The author of the alitions. He must be capable of raUying dential campaign hasn't taught us very bestseller " The Russians," Smith served support from both parties. Partisan solu­ much about this important issue. As I 26 years as a New York Times correspon­ tions are not the answer. These are dura­ said in "The Power Game, " one of our dent before leaving that paper in 1988 to ble problems and will require grand great problems in American politics is that pursue film projects and commentary. A coaJitions. the likes of which we have only there is a dichotomy between campaign­ reg ular guest on •'Washing ton Week in Re­ seen rarely in our politicaJ history. ing and governing. Campaigns are more view," Smith now writes news analysesfor The reaJ foreign policy test is dependent on theatrical skills, image­ Universal Press Syndicate. In January whether or not a consensus can once again making and negative politics. not on 1989 the Public Broadcasting System will be assembled to sustain an intelligent but showing voters how a candidate can put air his film series " The Power Game," not excessive defense program while aJso together bipartisan coalitions. and in /989 Smith will film another docu­ moving effectively to more arms control To gauge the latter, you have to look mentary series. "Inside Gorbachev's agreements. In the Soviet leadership we at the pre-campaign records of both candi­ Russia. " have a partner who wants to move in this dates. First, Michael Dukakis clearly In this interview with Forum editor direction. Mikhail Gorbachev is not doing failed as a coaJition-maker during his first Bill McKenzie, Smith says that the current this out of goodwill towards the United term as governor of Massachusetts. He presidential election has not taught us States. but for the Soviets' self-interest. was cold, aJoof and aJmost arrogant in his much about either candidate's ability to That is much better than if the Soviets handling of the Legislature. Therefore, he put together coalitions. And it is coali­ were playing some kind of game for our was not terribly effective as governor and tions, he says, that are essential to solving sake. They see serious problems in their ended up being defeated. problems such as the budget deficit. In own domestic society and want to move All the reporting I've seen, however, addition, Smith discusses campaign re­ economic resources in this direction. seems to say that Dukakis took that lesson form, party building and deadlocked gov­ seriously during his four years out of of­ ernment, a pherwmenon that he says is Ripon Forum: How do you rate the two fice and was much more effective in deaJ­ unique to the post-World War II era. presidential candidates in their ability to ing with the Massachusetts Legislature RiPON FORUM, NCNEMBER /988 3 during his second term. He built coali· it. We shouldn't have been so amazed at tions and passed legislation that was im­ Ronald Reagan's success in 1981. He was portant to Massachusetts. governor of California for two terms, Dukakis also has shown more links which is a big, tough political arena. He 10 the national Democratic Party than did "Another way to close the had a powerful Democratic legislative op­ Jimmy Caner, another governor to whom position and found ways to deal with it. Dukakis is often compared. Carter ran in­ gap between campaigning He also found ways to deal on a symbolic dependent of the national party apparatus and governing is for level. 1bere are lots of criticisms you may and his people came to town almost with a have about the Reagan presidency, but I chip on their shoulders. If Dukaltis wins, reporters to keep pressing don't think you can deny that he had the we'll have to see whether his people come skill, especially in his ftrst year, to work. down with that kind of attitude. the differences as they Congress as effectively as he worked the A third factor is that Dukakis was public. able to pick a vice presidential candidate report on candidJ1tes and Another way to close the gap be­ - Lloyd Bentsen - who came from a campaign managers. " tween campaigning and governing is for very different region and very different reporters to keep pressing the differences part of the party.