DISCONNECT IS NOW WITHIN THE GOP

Following the George W. Bush coronation came the attacks against the
dope-smoking, draft-dodging, Whitewater/White House-selling president.
There's a disconnect with the public, Republicans say, blinding voters
to the sins of the current administration. But the real disconnect
might very well be within the GOP itself.

When Mr. Clinton's "I didn't inhale" marijuana episode is dredged up
again, pundits ask about Mr. Bush and cocaine. If Mr. Bush is innocent
of these allegations, why won't he just say so? Once drugs are
mentioned, Republican loyalists scurry for the cover of campaign
fund-raising. Al Gore sold the Lincoln Bedroom at $10,000 a pop right
alongside Bill Clinton, and everybody knows about the Buddhist temple!
But when mention is made of $100,000 nights in the governor's mansion
in Austin or Mr. Bush's $70 million war chest not yet fully accounted
for, many Republicans fall silent. It's different somehow, they'll
say. So they mention Whitewater.

An independent prosecutor spent more than five years trying to prove
Mr. Clinton made an ill-gotten fortune there. He came up with nothing.
Now, as similar questions arise concerning Mr. Bush's dealings and
profits from the Texas Rangers and Harken Energy Corp., Republican
faithful deny any wrongdoing.

There is little talk of draft-dodging these days, since John McCain (a
real war hero) and Mr. Gore both served in Vietnam while Mr. Bush
miraculously found a spot in the Texas Air National Guard.

The patterns are striking. Drugs. Selling the executive mansion for
fund-raising. Questionable business deals. Avoiding service in
Vietnam. The GOP can't see the obvious. They're nominating their very
own Bill Clinton as their candidate for president. They could've had a
real hero.