Wanted: Domestic Help

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From the moment George Bush began campaigning as a "compassionate conservative," he maintained a pointed distance from fellow Texan Tom DeLay, a fiery congressional conservative known as "the Hammer." But the House majority leader now seems to have Bush's ear. In early March DeLay became the fifth invitee to the regular breakfasts that the President holds with House Speaker Dennis Hastert, House minority leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate majority leader Bill Frist and Senate minority leader Tom Daschle. It was an invitation DeLay's predecessor Dick Armey had sought--only to be turned down.

Why the rapprochement? Bush appreciated DeLay's support on Iraq: when some Republicans were criticizing the war rhetoric last summer, DeLay gave an impassioned speech in favor of military action. Bush also knows DeLay could be a problem if he's not in the loop. The Hammer "has the ability to blow things up" if he's not consulted, says a House G.O.P. aide.

But what Bush now needs most is DeLay's ability to push legislation through the House. While most criticism of his foreign policy has been silenced, the President has faced much rougher sledding on domestic issues. The Senate has handed him a series of embarrassing setbacks: stalling judicial nominee Miguel Estrada, blocking Alaskan oil drilling and last week cutting Bush's proposed tax cut in half. Some Democrats are already balking at another Bush initiative: in addition to a request for $75 billion to pay for the war, the Administration is drafting ambitious postwar plans that include providing health care to the entire Iraqi population. --By Karen Tumulty and Douglas Waller