Flash Traffic

Political Buzz from Washington | Joel C. Rosenberg

Republican strategists hope the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling against the Pledge of Allegiance (see In Brief: Pledging a Battle) is a political opportunity. They believe it could help GOP candidates crisply define the battle for control of the House and Senate and rally conservative and independent voters to the polls this fall. Forget the court's next-day flip-flop, setting aside the decision. (The move was as nakedly political as the initial ruling itself. It is meaningless to stay a decision that could not take effect for 45 days anyway; it only serves to reveal the court's embarrassment.)

But Democrats—by denouncing the court's opinion with GOP-like vigor—were not about to get on the wrong side of the Pledge. Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas), and Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas) tried to seize the high ground, but Democratic leaders stayed with them every step of the way. Possible Democratic presidential candidates Dick Gephardt, House minority leader, and Sen. John Edwards (D-N.C.) quickly distanced themselves from the decision. Former vice presidential contender Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-Conn.) was the first to call for a constitutional amendment to protect the Pledge.