During a routine oversight hearing, President Clinton's national drug policy director, Barry R. McCaffrey, told lawmakers he lacked the statutory authority to include anti-drinking messages as part of this campaign. But to Rehr, a sunny and tireless promoter, the prospect of inserting the topic of beer into the nation's anti-drug drive was devastating. Nobody wanted to say this was a stupid idea. He is one of a handful of lobbyists who meets with DeLay each Wednesday morning to plot legislative strategy. And Rehr had crucial allies on this particular issue.
Drugs are illegal.
They are bad for you at any time. Roybal-Allard at first seized the upper hand in the debate through a fluke. Neither Northup nor Rehr thought the provision was going to be offered then, so when Roybal-Allard proposed language calling for underage drinking to be included in the ad campaign, the chief opponent on the subcommittee was absent. The panel adopted the amendment by voice vote. As both sides prepared for a battle in the full Appropriations Committee, Roybal-Allard's allies intensified their attacks on the alcohol industry.