FROM CNN's William Schneider, commenting on a report that Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan briefed talk show host Rush Limbaugh on the Mexican aid package proposed to Congress by President Clinton and withdrawn in favor of action that did not need congressional approval:
"Limbaugh has more influence in the new Congress than the chairman of the Federal Reserve does. That's how much politics has changed."
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BEST quip from the Washington Press Club Foundation's annual Salute to Congress dinner went to Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas.
She suggested Republicans look to Hollywood for their 1996 presidential candidate.
The ideal candidate, she noted, would come from central casting, combining "the name recognition of Ross Perot, the height of [Sen.] Alan Simpson, the looks of Dan Quayle, the good nature of George Bush, the war record of [Sen.] Bob Dole and the vision of [Sen.] Phil Gramm."
What is more likely to happen, though, in the rough-and-tumble of politics is a Republican nominee with "the name recognition of [Sen.] Arlen Specter [liberal presidential contender with tiny following], the height of Ross Perot, the looks of Phil Gramm, the good nature of Bob Dole, the war record of Dan Quayle -- and the vision of a Democrat."