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the breakfast table: An e-mail conversation about the news of the day.

David Brooks and Susan Estrich

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from: Susan Estrich

I Think They Call it Denial

Posted Wednesday, June 17, 1998, at 4:07 PM ET

Dear David:

You live in sin city and don't see it. I live on top of an earthquake fault and don't think about it. How's the weather in Pompeii?

I am happy -- I consider myself blessed to be one of the most fortunate people living in the richest country in the world, at a time of peace and prosperity -- but I still don't like what's going on in Washington.

Wasn't it Bob Dole who said, "There's no PAC for poor children." How much tobacco money was there last night, and how much money was there for kids who are still going to schools that don't teach, headed for prison for crimes that could be prevented, not given the helping hand that tobacco companies and trial lawyers have come to expect from their respective parties?

Members of Congress spend more than half their time sucking up to those who are both rich and interested. We should at least spare them from that, and let them get back to their jobs.

If Congress were to pass a law saying that access to government would be determined by wealth, we would be up in arms. But that is how access to power is determined. One person--one vote, except the rich get votes commensurate with their donations. Cynicism isn't just the reaction of an uninformed public; it's the lesson those of us who've played this game have learned. I used to keep the list of hundred-thousand-dollar donors in my desk, top middle drawer, when I was running a campaign.

Have you seen Bulworth? Why is it that everyone is outraged that Warren Beatty ends up with Halle Berry, and no one is outraged that the government is for sale?

I don't know whether the Justice Department is right or not in suing Microsoft, but I know how the story is told in Washington: that Bill Gates was incredibly naive in not understanding that he needed to play the game--hire lobbyists from both sides, give big money to both sides -- and is now making up for lost time. They've given more in the last two months than in the last two years, and are hiring lobbyists left and right, literally. Dare I bet they were at both dinners last night? Is this the version of democracy we will teach our kids?

Speaking of kids, Matt Drudge is in a pique because he got bounced off Larry King Live for Carville -- that was our latest Drudge report flash. I have a soft spot for Matt--it took Sidney Blumenthal to put me on his side--but I fear he is a key example of the absence of any difference between notoreity and respect. I first heard about him, as I think many people did, because Sidney sued him and he then made his name for breaking a story reported by someone else. The mainstream press has no respect at all for him. But it doesn't matter. See also, Arianna Huffington. I remember one conference where one young and beautiful conservative woman who shall remain nameless listed the magazines that had done profiles on her as her credentials for participation. At least she was honest.

I notice in Liz Smith, by the way, that the Tony Randalls are new parents. She's 28 and, of course, he's ageless. Imagine the roles were reversed.

Best, Susan

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