The Two Dicks on ’06

ABC News’ Mona Raphael Reports: In what may have been the most amiable bi-partisan discussion on the recent elections, former Reps. Dick Armey (R-TX) and Dick Gephardt (D-MO) joined AEI’s Norm Ornstein to discuss the blunders of the 109th Congress and the new challenges facing the incoming 110th.

Amid the gold and crystal of the Willard Inter-Continental Hotel’s ballroom, questions flew about the new House leadership and how the swelling ranks of Blue Dog Democrats will change the political landscape from a two party system to, quite possibly, a two-and-a-half party system. The Blue Dog Coalition is a group of 37 moderate to conservative House Democrats.

When asked how Democrats won on Nov. 7, Gephardt credited socially conservative Democratic candidates with picking up the moderate swing voters who have voted Republican in past elections but leaned left this time. "People are not divided neatly into two bases," he cautioned.

Gephardt also argued that the Democrats took control because the 109th Congress focused on feckless issues including the Terry Schiavo debate, the legality of flag burning, and the amendment on gay marriage. Issues that matter, he said, are health care, the minimum wage, and implementing the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission.

"The base is important," he said, "but so is the independent middle." Armey echoed that sentiment, saying that there is a "lesson" to be learned in Sen. Joe Lieberman’s (I-CT) win, alluding to his victory as an Independent candidate.

The former congressional leaders spoke at a luncheon hosted by the law firm DLA Piper, LLC.