Stumbling to a Showdown

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It has always been unfair to rate a Congress as either "do-nothing" or "rub ber-stamp," depending upon how it responded to a President's legislative desires. The current Congress, in particular, might well merit praise by refusing to adopt presidential economic policies that it considers too risky. But that is not enough. Inaction and stalemate on the economy can be as dangerous as errant action. The nation cannot afford a prolonged political confrontation between the White House and Capitol Hill. If the President will not yield, Howard Baker and his congressional cohort really have no choice; they must try to provide the U.S. with some degree of economic leadership. Reported by Reported by Neil MacNeil and Evan Thomas/Washington