Gephardt adjusts to role under GOP president

Gephardt will likely become speaker if Democrats take control on the House in 2002. "It works for me," he says.

From Kate Snow
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- In the House of Representatives, Democrats say the Republican majority drowns them out. Some critics say they lack leadership and strategy. House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Missouri, has another view.

"You take what you are given," Gephardt said in an interview with CNN. "I mean, the people run this country. We don't. And so you fight for what you believe in as hard as you can, and if you really believe in it, then you're frustrated if you're not able to follow those policies through."

Gephardt says the minority Democrats are forced to play defense, responding to Republicans.

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"I think we slowed down a little bit the amount of the tax bill -- not enough, in my view -- but we lowered it some so that the potential deficits out there in the future won't be so large," he said. "I think we cooperated with the president on the education bill, at least the substance of it, but we still haven't been able to convince him or the Republicans to put enough money into education to really make the program happen.

"On energy, I think that we've got a very, very positive alternative that I hope people will listen to. People in California and Oregon and Washington need help now," Gephardt said.

Gephardt is a master at staying on message, often spending hours talking to the press. His strategy: Agree with Republicans when he thinks they are right, and hammer it home when he disagrees.

"I try not to yell. I try to get ideas across as good a way as I can. But there are times when you need to show your emotion," he said. "You need to let people know that you really care about this. And you really want the country to go in a different direction. And I think you can't appear too tentative or too laid back or too uninterested."

Is the strategy working? Privately, some Democrats are critical. But Gephardt said he does not feel there is trouble in the ranks.

"I think the ranks and the Democratic Party are largely unified. They are marching together and working together in ways that I've never seen them before," Gephardt said. "I always tell them that it's 'me and we.' And we have to be a team.

"I would never tell you that anybody is ever going to be pleased every day with everything that happens, but largely I think that we've achieved real unity and real effectiveness in being the loyal opposition here in Washington," he said.

The congressman admits to thinking about the 2002 elections -- in which Democrats again will fight Republicans for control of the House -- but he downplays any talk of a 2004 presidential bid.

"I want to win the majority back. I think it's really important, not for the party and not for me, but for the country," Gephardt said.

But when asked about 2004, Gephardt said, "I really think that if you don't stay totally focused on the goal that is ahead of you, then you lessen your chances of reaching that goal. And my goal is to win back the majority in the Congress in 2002."

Still, Gephardt is scheduled to attend four events in New Hampshire -- home of the nation's first presidential primary -- in two weeks.

"The future will take care of itself. I have no idea what will happen, and I'm not worried about it, and I don't spend time worrying about it -- because, again, I've got to do this in 2002," Gephardt said.

If he succeeds in 2002, Gephardt likely will become speaker of the House. "It works for me," Gephardt said.