Editorial: Deeds, not just words, are needed

If there was a contest in Washington today for Mr. Congeniality, new House Speaker Dennis Hastert would win hands-down. The accolades for the Illinois Republican just won't stop. For a none-too-subtle clue as to the conventional wisdom, one only has to look at the glowing analysis of him published in the New York Times that was headlined, "Humble Man at the Helm."

Hastert, from every indication so far, appears to be a hard-working legislator who prefers consensus-building to confrontation. But before the public gets swept up in the Hastert euphoria, a few facts are in order. First, Hastert has no choice other than to act in a conciliatory way since the Republicans suffered such surprising defeats in November, reducing their majority in the 435-member House to just a dozen votes. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that you can't be overbearing when you no longer have the votes to be so.

Second, the man who effectively corralled the votes to elevate the previously little-known Hastert was Rep. Tom DeLay, R-Texas. DeLay is the same man who has orchestrated some of the confrontational politics of the past, including engineering the impeachment of President Clinton. Hastert will be watched closely to see if he can emerge from DeLay's shadow.

Regarding his stands on issues affecting Nevada, Hastert is a mixed bag. Casino lobbyists are cautiously optimistic they may have a friend in Hastert since he has riverboat casinos in his district. Since the National Gambling Impact Study Commission's report and recommendations are due to Congress later this year, casinos hope to have someone as House speaker who understands their industry.

While casino executives may feel some relief, those who believe in preserving Nevada's environment should be worried. Hastert, according to a Gannett News Service report, was one of the first sponsors of a bill last year that would have placed a so-called "temporary" nuclear waste dump in Nevada, the gravest environmental threat Nevada has ever faced.

Even with our skepticism, it is encouraging to see civility return -- however short-lived -- to the House. The real test will be in the next few months to see if the GOP's policies are as humane as the words coming out of their mouths in early January. Only then will we know if Hastert is his own man -- or DeLay's puppet.

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