Capitol Hill Sparring Parters: Head to Head
As written in the Atlanta Journal Constitution
Washington - It has long been a favorite media tactic to team a conservative and a liberal and let them slug it out over a specific issue. With the Clinton sex scandal percolating and the possibility of impeachment proceedings looming, television producers have discovered a new team: Rep. Bob Barr, a Republican from Smyrna, and Rep. Robert Wexler (D- Fla.).
Barr and Wexler have been teamed three times in recent weeks: on CNN's "Crossfire," on CNBC-MSNBC's "Hardball With Chris Matthews," and on the Fox News Channel's "Hannity and Colmes."
Barr, a former U.S. attorney who spent eight years working for the CIA, is among the most outspoken House members calling for President Clinton's impeachment.
Wexler is a freshman with a tough-on-crime reputation on the Judiciary Committee, though he generally is considered moderate to liberal in his political views.
Because of his strongly expressed views, Barr has been a darling of the political talk shows. Producers say they've also been impressed with Wexler's ability to mix it up on the air while presenting strongly held moderate views.
Interestingly, the two lawmakers have never been in the same studio together, instead facing off from different locations. In Washington, they've had no contact with one another beyond saying hello.
Wexler says he enjoys the pairing.
"Most people would see Mr. Barr in context of this impeachment as being in a small group of right-wing Republicans," Wexler said. "In that case, I'm comfortable that the more strident right-wing positions are out of step with the mainstream of American thought."
Barr said he also has enjoyed crossing swords with Wexler.
"He's one of the best adversaries to have on these shows because he's very professional, he sticks to the issues and doesn't get involved in personal attacks, and he's very intelligent."
Despite their friendly relations, the lawmakers sometimes mix it up, with Wexler recently challenging Barr's claims that the president had endangered national security by providing missile and computer technology to China after the Democratic Party accepted large political donations from Chinese nationals.
Bill Shine, producer of "Hannity and Colmes," said the show looks for Judiciary Committee members who are willing and able to engage in a debate format on television, something many members are uncomfortable doing.
"Wexler and Barr respectfully disagree with each other, and that makes good TV," Shine said. "They're very opinionated. They believe in their heart what they are saying, and they don't back down from controversial opinions... You get two members like that on opposing sides, and sooner or later you get some chemistry."
Rob Yarin, executive producer for "Hardball," said producers keep an eye out for new, articulate lawmakers, often catching them delivering one-minute speeches on the House floor or in committee rooms.
Waiting for the camera to come on "is very difficult," Yarin said. "Certain people do well in that situation."
Jennifer Zeidman, senior producer of "Crossfire," said Wexler was chosen because "he's a new, fresh face with a lot of energy and he seems to be well-versed on the issues."
Barr was chosen for last week's "Crossfire" because of his outspoken views on Clinton's conduct and because he is one of the Republicans whose personal life has been targeted by some Democrats—not Wexler—for exposure. The author of the Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal recognition of gay marriages, Barr has been divorced twice.
Indeed, Barr was blistered by CNN co-host Bill Press, who described the congressman's marital history as "a sometimes arrangement between one man and three women."
Barr argued that Press was "mixing apples and oranges," and noted that the Defense of Marriage Act "had nothing to do with the divorce relationship between men and women... It had only to do with whether or not the federal government would be a party to recognizing homosexual marriages."
Meanwhile, Wexler was being challenged by co-host Robert Novak for offering the "Wexler doctrine... (that) anything goes as long as you don't posture."
Barr said he welcomes the opportunity to appear on television talk shows to discuss Clinton's actions.
"Regardless of how people feel about the president personally, these issues of accountability are extremely important," Barr said.
