WASHINGTON WATCH: ATTACKING REPUBLICANS, `THE RICH'

Contrary to the past worries of Democratic political advisers, I think Dick Gephardt looks like a president. He stands tall and walks with a regal gait. His gaze is gracious, and his handshakes are warm. Indeed, his political liability isn't his personal appearance. His liability is what he says.

Call it the Gephardt rule of political class warfare: Don't say anything without also blaming Republicans and "the rich." It is a political strategy not only bereft of ideas, but destructive to legislative progress.Commenting on welfare reform last Friday, Gephardt was in common form: "For Republicans, welfare reform is just a way of passing the buck, kicking people off the welfare rolls, and leaving innocent children out in the street. ... They have no interest in results. They're just playing around with the process -- trying to slash the budget to pay for a capital gains tax cut for wealthy investors."It was a sad spectacle. Unable to get Democrats to agree on their own welfare reform plan, Gephardt reduced himself to attacking Republicans with the same kind of transparent demagoguery he has used since Michael Dukakis drubbed him in 1988."There's an important principle at stake here," Gephardt said, boldly avoiding anything specific. "In their zeal to pay for their trickle-down tax cuts for the rich, the Republicans are trying to slash the budget in any way they can. Welfare, Medicare, Social Security. And they're killing any effort to create and reward real work."Even the Washington press corps wasn't buying the message this time around. "If Democrats are so unified about this, why aren't you offering your own bill?" asked one reporter.That's not important, responded Gephardt. What's important "is the amount of unity and purpose and belief that we bring to this issue."

Talk about talking in circles.

At least Gephardt didn't charge Republicans with wanting to "starve" babies to death. Rep. William Clay, also of St. Louis, was the one who made that comment."It's becoming more apparent each day that if their get-tough policies don't work, and they are not likely to, the frustration will increase. What then?" asked Clay, apparently not content with infanticide. "Castration and sterilization? And if that doesn't work, I dread to think of the next step."

Maybe, Dr. Foster?

Thankfully, California Rep. George Miller was at the same press conference to help his Democratic colleagues rein in their passions and set their goals more clearly. "We believe not only in an end to welfare, but an end to poverty," said Miller magnanimously. "The Republicans prescribe permanent poverty for millions of Americans -- especially millions of children. ..."

Wow!

With such language, Dick Gephardt and the Democratic leadership on Capitol Hill remind the American people why they voted for Republicans in record numbers last fall. The fact is that the current welfare system doesn't work, and Republicans have a no-frills plan to fix it. The plan, which gives considerable flexibility to the states, seeks to discourage illegitimacy and teen pregnancy, cut spending, and enact a two-years-and-out provision with work requirements. Democrats, on the other hand, have no plan.

If Gephardt truly wanted to help the country, he would set aside the inflammatory rhetoric and join the process. Many other Democrats -- worried less about presidential politics -- already have.Jon K. Rust is a Washington-based writer for the Southeast Missourian.