Some Republicans thought they were being clever indeed with their plan to respond to soaring gasoline prices by giving most drivers a $100 rebate. At a news conference last week to unveil the idea, Sen. James M. Talent (R-Mo.) declared, "It will show people that Washington gets it."

Many voters, however, concluded that Washington does not get it. Besieged with complaints about political pandering, GOP lawmakers now say the rebate idea is a non-starter. As Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) explained yesterday, "When my own daughter harasses me, you know you're in trouble."

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