The new federalism: restructuring our government.

• Author: Cary, Mary Kate

IF YOU WANT to understand the fundamental realignment now going on in American politics, look no farther than the closest Republican governor. As House Speaker Newt Gingrich noted: "It is Republican governors across this country who created the framework of experience which we--Sen. Dole in the Senate and myself in the House--now have to bring it to our colleagues working with [governors] to apply it to the national level."

Governors know better than most that good policies make for good politics. As more than one GOP senator admits, the states have become the proving ground for Republican ideas.

With a record of slashing government, cutting taxes, lowering spending, and providing citizens with a more effective state government, it is no wonder that seven incumbent GOP governors won more than 60% of the vote in the 1994 election and not one Republican incumbent won with less than a seven-point margin of victory. With 11 new Republicans in office, 70% of the people--182,000,000 Americans--live in 30 states led by Republican governors.

What Republican Party chairman Haley Barbour calls "winning with the politics of performance" includes a number of success stories. For example, Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld cut state spending by $1,700,000,000 in the first month he was in office. In 1994, he was re-elected with more than 70% of the vote.

Arizona Gov. Fife Symington is one of several GOP governors who cut taxes every year he was in office, despite dire predictions from the doom-and-gloom chorus, reaped a booming state economy and a 52-44% margin of victory in November, 1994.

The same month Pres. Clinton signed the largest tax increase in American history, Michigan Gov. John Engler signed the largest tax cut in his state's history. Sixty-three percent of the voters chose Engler over his liberal Democrat opponent in 1994.

Americans are demanding results. The No. 1 reason people say they disapprove of Clinton's job performance is because he's "all talk, no action." By campaigning on his frustration at his lack of accomplishments, Clinton unwittingly helped fuel the Republican sweep. In the final analysis, maintains Symington, the President "was crazy to be so candid." In contrast, voters perceived Republican governors as problem-solvers.

Voters in November, 1994, overwhelmingly embraced Republican ideas of limited government and lower taxes. "People," maintains notes Utah Gov. Michael Leavitt, chairman of the Republican Governors Association...