Wanted: An Effective GOP Leader and an Agenda

Impeachment may be the business of the day, but Republicans are thinking about internal politics this week. And there is much in the Grand Old Party's house to set in order. First and foremost is picking an agenda and a party leader. "The disappointing results of the 1998 election set ablaze a firestorm to oust incumbent Republican chairman Jim Nicholson," says Time Washington correspondent John Dickerson. As a result, Florida's GOP chairman, Tom Slade, has mounted a challenge to oust Nicholson. "But at this point it would be a shock if he succeeds,"says Dickerson.

The pressure for change at the leadership level has eased largely because one has already occurred. "The GOP wanted to display a symbol of change," says Dickerson, "and it got one when Speaker Newt Gingrich resigned." The feeling now, says Dickerson, "is not to change horses amidst the murky political waters that need to be crossed." Those currents, however, are pressuring Republicans to set an aggressive agenda for their party, especially following President Clinton's impressive performance at Tuesday's State of the Union address. The task will be complicated by the cacophony of voices vying for attention through this weekend. On Capitol Hill the Senate will be slogging though the hugely unpopular impeachment trial. And across the Potomac in suburban Washington, a parade of presidential hopefuls, from Lamar Alexander to Steve Forbes to former vice president Dan Quayle (who is expected to announce his availability Thursday night on CNN's "Larry King Live"), will be seeking to make their pitch before the Conservative Political Action Conference. But, with everyone talking, will anyone be listening -- let alone be working for unity?