A Betrayal Of The Gop's Principles

Principles. Once upon a time, belonging to a political party meant standing by them. Take free trade. Just yesterday, "Republican Party" was synonymous with free trade. For Republicans in the House and the Senate, the issue was a no-brainer. The party, in the modern era, has always stood for free markets and competition, at home or abroad.

But no more. Principles are suddenly less important than denying a weakened President Clinton any legislative victories before November's midterm elections. That is why Senate GOP leader Robert Dole of Kansas and House Republican leader Newt Gingrich of Georgia are trashing the new General Agreement on Tariffs & Trade. They might have succeeded in killing it had the Business Roundtable not given Dole a wake-up call recently.