CONSERVATIVES CHAFE AT BAKER

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP99-01448R000301290037-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 16, 2012
• Sequence Number: 37
• Publication Date: March 4, 1987
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

STAT
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP99-01448R000301290037-4
ON PAGE
4 March 1987
Conservatives chafe at Baker
By Charlotte Saikowski
Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
Washington
lb the dismay of far-right conserva-
tives, the White House is acquiring a Re-
publican "establishment" look.
Chief of staff Howard Baker Jr. is
moving swiftly to set a mood of rejuvena-
tion and congeniality as the President
struggles to get ahead of the Iran-contra
crisis. Close Reagan allies voice relief that
the White House has seized a chance to
return to the politically sensitive style of
governing and the ideological pragmatism
that marked the Reagan first term.
lb conservatives on the right, the
changes at the White House spell aban-
donment of the Reagan agenda and the
rise of Republican moderation. Their con-
cern is that Mr Baker, whose views in the
past have differed from those of tile
President, will use his political skills to
push a more conciliatory course on such
issues as a tax increase (which Baker
favored) and the President's "star wars"
missile-shield program.
"Conservatives feel betrayed and
abandoned," says right-wing conserva-
tive activist Richard A. Viguerie. "In 1980
Reagan ran against the old-boy network
in town and said we needed new people.
Now, with no exception, there is a total
surrender to the Washington establish-
ment."
In two short days Baker has:
? Begun a reorganization of the White
House that will see the departure of many
key aides to former chief of staff Donald Regan.
? Dealt with the sticky problem of withdrawing the
nomination of Robert Gates to head central intelligence.
The fact that Mr Gates will remain as CIA dewty
director complicated the replacement effort.
? Met with the press to convey that President Reagan
is energetic and on top of things, as contrasted with the
lbwer Commission's portrayal of him.
In keeping with the conspicuous White House effort
to show presidential involvement, Mr Reagan spoke to
the National Security Council staff, telling them he en-
dorsed the lbwer report and expected the staff to follow
the recommended model of how the NSC should work.
"Views must be fully aired," the President said.
"Agency participation should not be short-cut. I want
the range of options developed for my consideration.
Legal issues must be addressed head on and the rule of
law respected. And, of course, recommendations and
decisions must be properly documented."
The whirl of activity at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
comes as a new poll shows a dramatic decline in Reagan's
approval rating. The latest New York 'Mies/CBS sur-
vey, taken after the lbwer report's release, finds that
only 42 percent of Americans approve of how he is doing
his job ? the lowest since Jalmary 19b3.
As Reagan prepares for his critical address tonight,
lican allies and strategists are quietly advising
him that he should take personal responsibility for the
Iran-contra scandal, rather than blame wayward aides
and leave the door open to further damaging disclosures.
"He should blame no one and open up the option that
there may be more," one GOP insider says.
In this situation, Baker's role is also viewed as critical.
"Howard Baker is at as much risk as Ronald Reagan
because the speech will have his imprimatur on it," says
the source.
The conservative right, meanwhile, worries that
Baker and his new team, which does not include a right-
wing firebrand like former communications director Pat-
rick Buchanan, will maneuver the President into com-
promising on his domestic and foreign policy agenda in
the interests of surviving politically.
"This could be the last surrender of the establishment
Republicans to Ronald Reagan," says Paul Weyrich,
head of the Committee for the Survival of a Free Con-
gress. "Reagan made a convert out of George Bush and
Richard Schweiker . . . But Howard is more sophisti-
cated in the practice of politics and more adept at
pushing his own agenda subtly."
Congressman Jack Kemp (R) of New York, who is
miming for president in 1988, has also sounded his
misgivings. "There are vital issues to conservatives, like
early deployment of SDI [Strategic Defense Initiative]
and not allowing [House Speaker] Jim Wright to push
through a tax increase," says John Buckley, the con-
gressman's press spokesman. "In the near term we're
willing to give Baker the benefit of the doubt, because he
says he intends to carry out the President's wishes. But
conservatives are concerned about the agenda."
Reagan insiders are not troubled by the blast from the
right wing. In their view, the President has always
moved toward the center in practical terms and does not
intend to push the right's social agenda. It is better for
conservatives to be sniping at Howard Baker and other
aides, Reagan allies say, than at the President, although
the expected carping will add to Baker's difficulties.
Some personnel changes are already in place. Baker
has appointed his former law partner, A. B. Culvahouse,
to be the White House legal counsel. Several key aides
appointed under Mr Regan will stay on, including presi-
dential spokesman Marlin Fitzwater and Frank
Donatelli, a lawyer and veteran Reagan campaign opera-
tive who will become White House political adviser. By
the time the changes are completed, most of Regan's
longtime aides are expected to be out.
With the recent resignation of Pat Buchanan, there is
no one at the White House to sound the trumpet on right-
wing conservative issues. The task may fall to Secretary
of Education William Bennett, who is known to be eager
to enhance his visibility at the White House and carry
the rhetorical torch for the President.
? 1
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/16: CIA-RDP99-01448R000301290037-4