Dicks bares his teeth in fight over wolves

WASHINGTON — Nearly 70 years ago, a very tall and skinny James Stewart mesmerized America as an idealistic and impassioned lawmaker in the film "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington."

Late last Tuesday night, Norm Dicks challenged Stewart's portrayal with a dramatic performance in a House floor debate marked by references to lonely wolves, baby owls and Old Yeller. At issue was the House Interior appropriations bill, which Dicks, as chairman of the Interior Appropriations Committee, has been trying to pass.

Dicks, D-Bremerton, has waited 30 years to lead the charge for Interior funding for parks, forests and the preservation of his beloved marbled murrelet.

The fight has re-energized him. When he took the floor to lead the Democratic side of the debate that afternoon, Dicks gestured, waved his glasses and strutted as he orated, sporting a power tie (large white polka dots on black). He was ready for bear.

He got wolves, instead.

The bill's many earmarks include the Mexican Wolf Recovery Program to restore the wild wolves in the Southwest.

Stevan Pearce, R-N.M., proposed an amendment to eliminate funds for the wolves.

To make his case, he flashed a picture of a dead horse. The prized possession of an 8-year-old girl named Stacy, the horse was killed by wolves.

Pearce denounced the "feel-good feeling" among wolf supporters, saying he felt trapped in his house by wolves.

He raised the specter of wolf-borne rabies and told people to remember what happened to Old Yeller.

Dicks peered over his glasses.

"I rise in opposition to the amendment," he said.

Pearce requested that Dicks "yield" and give him more time to make his argument.

"I will not yield," said Dicks, adding, "The gentleman had his five minutes."

Pearce shot back, "I thank the gentleman, who has no wolves in his district."

"The most provocative sound to a wolf is a crying baby or a laughing baby," Pearce said. Then he warned that wolves would snatch babies from their cradles.

"Their blood will be on your hands, my friend," Pearce said.

Dicks jumped.

He demanded that Pearce retract his words or be reprimanded by the House speaker.

Pearce withdrew his statement, and his amendment failed 172-258.

An hour later, Dicks fended off attacks on his own earmark, $150,000 for restoration of the Bremerton Library, which was built during Franklin Roosevelt's administration.

Republicans howled wolfishly and tried to block the money. Dicks defended the library, extolling its rotunda and art deco color, "a vibrant yellow."

Then he smacked down his detractors, noting that the Republicans OK'd 13,000 earmarks in 2006, so they could accept this one.

The library funding prevailed 333-98.

The fight over the bill didn't end until 6 p.m. the next day. Dicks got it passed, 272-155.

Letter from Washington is an examination of the culture of politics and power in the nation's capital. Alicia Mundy can be reached at 202-622-7457 or at amundy@seattletimes.com.