When a Firebrand Burns His Bridges

"The election process has turned into an incumbency protection process in which lobbyists attend PAC fundraisers to raise money for incumbents so they can drown potential opponents, thus creating war chests that convince candidates not to run and freeing up incumbents to spend more time in Washington PAC fundraisers. So, in effect, this city is building a wall of money to protect itself from America."

Gingrich's assessment was at odds with those of President Bush and GOP leaders in Congress.

Asked whether Bush worries about "a culture of favors" in Washington, White House press secretary Scott McClellan, at a briefing just after Gingrich's speech, replied: "Well, you're speculating based on facts that aren't known at this point."

A couple of hours later, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) issued an upbeat statement that Abramoff's plea "indicates that our system of justice works and those who break the law for personal gain find no favor in Washington."

At points, Gingrich was careful to mention that the abuses are bipartisan. But voters usually punish the majority party when conversation turns, as Gingrich's did yesterday, to Congress's "orgy of spending" and the complaint that lawmakers "raise the same money with the same cronies."

Gingrich skipped some of the most inflammatory rhetoric in his prepared text, including the suggestions that "Abramoff is only the tip of the iceberg" and that Congress should "eliminate from authority those with bad judgment."

Was he talking about Rep. Tom DeLay (R-Tex.)? Reporters surrounded Gingrich after the speech to find out -- and Gingrich confirmed that Republicans should elect a new House majority leader. "I see no prospect that DeLay will in any sense be cleared in any reasonable time," he said. Gingrich was asked whether DeLay's leadership had contributed to the GOP problems. "I'm not going to comment on that," he said, thereby providing all the comment necessary.

The speaker advised his former colleagues to hold urgent hearings, and to come up with legislation that, among other things, bans fundraising in Washington and forces disclosure of all contact with lobbyists. The Spirit of '94, he said, is at stake.

"That legacy hangs in the balance," he said. "We arrived here as a reform party. . . . We were real and we were serious."

So what happened to Republicans in Congress? "You have to go ask them," the former speaker said.