Although the White House is billing President Clinton’s trip to Chicago on Monday as official and not political, the boosts to Illinois Democratic Reps. Dan Rostenkowski and Mel Reynolds are unmistakable.
Clinton is expected to tout Rostenkowski’s long-term expertise on health care from his key post as chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, which will be integral to passage of the president’s health-care plan. The president also is likely to mention both representatives’ crucial support for the North American Free Trade Agreement, which was approved last fall.
Clinton’s appearance in Reynolds’ district, at an as-yet-undisclosed high school, marks the date the federally mandated five-business-day waiting period for handgun purchases takes effect, legislation that Reynolds supported.
The president will then attend an event for Rostenkowski, who is facing his toughest primary test, before departing for Pittsburgh and talks with British Prime Minister John Major.
One of Reynolds’ two opponents, Ald. Allan Streeter (17th), made a veiled political threat to Clinton Tuesday to stay out of the South Side 2nd District. “To come in and campaign and pay a debt for him against a proven Democrat like me is wrong,” said Streeter, who is also waging a March 15 primary campaign to retain his seat on the Democratic State Central Committee.
“If the president comes to the South Side . . . we’ll have to figure out what we’re going to do to address that.”
Rostenkowski, who is under investigation for alleged misuse of funds in the House Post Office scandal and numerous other financial allegations, is backed by only 24 percent of Democrats in the primary, according to the latest poll. But in a splintered race that includes five other candidates, he could still pull out a victory. The poll found 29 percent support Rostenkowski “even if he has done something wrong.”
Clinton and Rostenkowski have gotten along well since the president was elected, with the 66-year-old Rostenkowski acting as something of an older uncle to the young president. In addition to backing Clinton on the free-trade agreement, Rostenkowski has supported his budget plans and health-care proposal with a fervor not seen around Capitol Hill in a long time. Thus, a Rostenkowski loss in the primary will be a setback for Clinton.
An indictment of the congressman will also hurt Clinton because Rostenkowski would have to step aside as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.
State Sen. John Cullerton (D-Chicago), who along with former Ald. Dick Simpson (44th) and Ald. Michael Wojcik (35th) is challenging Rostenkowski in next month’s primary, noted that Clinton’s political choices have lost in every major election from Texas to New Jersey.
“He’s lost at least five in a row, including campaigns for governor and senator.” Cullerton said. “So I think his visit here next week is ill-advised.”
In addition to his legal troubles, Rostenkowski faces niggling problems on Capitol Hill. House Republicans, for example, plan Wednesday to demand an investigation of the House Post Office probe, which was undertaken by a special committee. The House Democratic leadership is preparing a countermove to postpone any such investigation until U.S. Atty. Eric Holder completes his probe, which could culminate in the indictment of Rostenkowski.
In addition, some House Republicans are trying to force an investigation of Rostenkowski’s payment of $82,000 to the House stationery store as reimbursement for items used for non-official purposes.
A House Republican source said the the probe will try determine who knew about the repayment and who authorized it.
