SALISBURY -- Scott and Gail Anderson think the new Congress is proceeding on the right course, in the right direction and at about the right speed.
But the Republican couple fears possible cuts to Medicare. They don't favor an all-out end to affirmative action. Most of all, they worry that their party -- "like one of the characters in the Wizard of Oz," quips Ms. Anderson -- may have lost its heart.
"In the rush to the right," says Mr. Anderson, a management consultant, "I hope we don't lose track of helping people who want help."
It was here in this fast-growing Eastern Shore hub, at a retreat of House Republicans at Salisbury State University in February 1994, that the GOP "Contract with America" -- the document that helped power the GOP to victory last fall -- was conceived.
Over that snowy weekend, Republican lawmakers -- deciding they needed a device to tell voters what their party stood for -- laid out principles, based on limited government and personal responsibility, that later would evolve into the potent campaign manifesto.
A year after that Salisbury conference, interviews with several dozen Shore residents -- many of whom consider themselves moderate or "swing voters" -- suggest that voters here feel good about the overall goals of the new Republican-led Congress but are troubled by some of the specific GOP initiatives, especially -- cuts in social programs that affect the poor, the elderly, children and education.
Moreover, with the balanced budget amendment failing and a vote on term limits deferred last week, Americans of both parties are beginning to fear the return of Washington gridlock.
"In the beginning, they were doing some tremendous work," says Republican Kristen Tyvoll, a student at Meredith College in Raleigh, N.C., home on spring break and having lunch with her dad at an outdoor cafe in the center of downtown. "It all seems to be falling apart right now."
Many of the "Contract" items find wide support among voters in Salisbury, the Shore's most populated year-round city, and throughout the country. A recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll showed that 71 percent of Americans favor a balanced budget amendment; 57 percent favor ending affirmative action programs for government jobs, contracts and admissions to state universities; and 54 percent favor ending the federal food stamp program and giving the money to the states to run the programs.
"It's very maddening to stand behind someone who has food stamps and see them purchase things I don't buy because they're too expensive," says Helen Wells, a Salisbury homemaker and Republican who voted for President Clinton. "Like sickle pears out of season!"
Most of those interviewed here -- in the county seat of Wicomico County, which in 1992 voted solidly for George Bush over Mr. Clinton and Republican Ellen Sauerbrey over Democrat Parris Glendening in the 1994 governor's race -- say they also favor other key elements of the GOP "Contract."
Drawing frequent mention were provisions limiting the number of terms lawmakers can serve in Congress, welfare reform of some sort, an end to federal subsidies for the arts, and efforts to reduce the federal budget deficit. Even if legislation is not enacted, they welcome the vigorous debate on such issues.
"They're doing just what I want them to do," says Republican Dave Ziara, a hot dog vendor. "Right on!"
The concept of the "Contract with America," which promises to bring issues up for discussion within the first 100 days of this Congress, is still a big hit with Eastern Shore voters.
"The contract with the people, I like that," says John Schlachte, co-owner of Snapper's Waterfront Cafe in Cambridge. "They're saying they're going to do something and you can tell if they're doing it or not."
But Mr. Schlachte and others aren't sure they want congressional Republicans to do everything they've said they'll do, especially if it means cuts for the very young, the very old and the very poor.
Nothing seems to set off alarm bells for residents here like the GOP proposal to slow the rate of increase for the national school dTC lunch program and give the states the money to run the programs. Especially on the Eastern Shore, where there are pockets of extreme poverty, voters are dubious that the money will findits way to hungry youngsters.
Many seem to echo Democrats who portray their opponents as willing to take food from the mouths of babes to enrich the wealthy.
"A lot of kids wouldn't get a balanced meal if it wasn't for the school lunch program," says Republican Jacqueline Morehead, a vocational rehabilitation specialist currently unemployed.
And while support for welfare reform appears solid and nearly universal, some express concerns about proposals to deny benefits to unwed teen-age mothers, believing that the measure is too severe and will punish the children of those mothers.
"We do need reforms in welfare, but the way they're going about it could be disastrous," says psychiatric social worker Susan Waller, a Perot and Sauerbrey Democrat. "I know how desperate people are. Too many children and families are without food and water and the basics of life."
Many GOP enthusiasts support the agenda until proposals and cuts collide with their personal interests.
Bob Wilder, an art teacher from Virginia in residence at high schools on the Eastern Shore this year, says he is thrilled with the new Congress even though he's a Democrat.
"I'm in favor of what they're doing. I'm glad they're there," he says, poring over the newspaper while having dinner at the food court in The Center at Salisbury, a sprawling mall north of town. "At least they're shaking up the system."
But Mr. Wilder, whose salary is paid by the Virginia Art Commission, vehemently opposes the GOP plan to end government subsidies for the arts. "That's why I'm here. This is what I do. If funding is cut, I'll be in a bind," he says.
What's more, as a 48-year-old African-American, Mr. Wilder says, he has benefited from government affirmative action programs and would not like to see them abolished.
"In all the positions I was hired for, I was very qualified. I was also black and that carried some weight," he says. "Affirmative action should be in place. If a person is not qualified, he should not be hired. But unfortunately, I do feel there's a great deal of prejudice still in America."
Similarly, John Sydnor, co-owner of Snapper's cafe, a staunch Republican and "Contract" fan, says he is strongly opposed to GOP efforts to end government funding of public broadcasting. The reason: Barney, Big Bird and his 3-year-old daughter, Victoria.
"This sounds really corny, but 'Sesame Street' and Barney, I think they do a lot of good for kids," says the father. "If we cut them out, kids will be watching 'Beavis & Butt- head.' I know we have to sacrifice somewhere, but direct education for our children, that's definitely not where you want to tighten the belt."
Although the anger that characterized the electorate before the November elections seems to have dissipated, cynicism and disappointment are beginning to flicker again in some voters' voices, especially as popular items such as term limits stall and lawmakers squabble within their own party.
"It's been a war down there," says Republican Betty Smith, manager of a KFC franchise in Salisbury. "I think they forgot why they're there."
"When the Republicans came into office, we were led to believe it would no longer be politics as usual," says salesman William B. Sweeney Jr., a Reagan Democrat. "But with the budget amendment voted down and the term limits issue in question, it seems it is once again politics as usual."
Mr. Sweeney says he was "extremely optimistic" after last year's election. Now, he says, "I am very pessimistic that our government can ever get out of its own way."
Ms. Smith, like many others interviewed, does not believe lawmakers -- even the newly elected, change-minded lawmakers ultimately will pass term limits or do anything else to cut into their own power or perks.
"Their retirement plan blows my mind," she says. "That could save us a few billion."
Swing voters today, in fact, do not appear to be enthusiastic about any single political leader. Many former Clinton supporters say they are disenchanted with the president, disappointed that he doesn't appear to stand up for what he believes in.
And almost to a person, voters interviewed here -- even conservative Republicans who admire the new House speaker -- say they believe Newt Gingrich is too "extreme."
"I like him, but I think sometimes he oversteps his boundaries," says Kelly Ewing, a secretary who describes herself as an "ultra" conservative. "To be in the position he's in, he should keep certain opinions to himself. He's a little extreme."
Few have given much thought yet to the 1996 presidential election and even fewer say there is a candidate they like.
For the Andersons, who are giving some thought to Texas GOP Sen. Phil Gramm as well as others, the search for a presidential candidate will be much like their hopes for the new Congress: a package of fiscal conservatism and discipline, social tolerance and empathy.
"Gramm has the best ideas, but I don't know whether he has a heart or not," says Scott Anderson. "I do want a Republican who cares about people who can't take care of themselves."