THE SCRAPBOOK has learned that the incredible efficiency with which Congress and the president cooperated to rename Washington National Airport the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport was the result of a crass political deal. The fix was in. Just three days after Clinton signed the airport name change, the Senate voted 63-35 to confirm his nomination of Dr. David Satcher as surgeon general. The nomination had been on hold because Satcher is a supporter of partial-birth abortion. But it was really important to the congressional Republicans to get that airport renamed. Quid, meet quo.
There really is nothing like old-fashioned horse trading. The Clinton administration has managed to fill a job left vacant three years ago by the untimely departure of Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders. She also was a controversial figure, who left under a cloud after promoting the solitary vice to schoolchildren. This turned out to be a misplaced enthusiasm in what we have since learned is a decidedly communitarian administration. Meantime, THE SCRAPBOOK is looking forward to its next trip to Orange County, Calif., which will carry the added pleasure of the dream right-wing itinerary: from Ronald Reagan airport to John Wayne International and back again. Who says the national greatness agenda isn’t making progress?
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