In his Tuesday editorial, Opinion Page Editor Tim Davis claimed that “it is painfully obvious that the priorities of the Republican leadership are misdirected,” citing several examples taken out of context that support this observation.

He claims that partisan politics are “reprehensible” and that Republicans have lost touch with “average Americans,” but Davis really is only contributing to the problem himself.

First, Davis says that the government shutdown occurred because Newt Gingrich had been miffed at President Clinton’s behavior following the Rabin funeral.

Actually, the government shutdown occurred because Congress and the President had failed to pass and sign into law the 13 appropriations bills required for fiscal 1996. As of this writing, only six of these bills have been passed, and both parties, including the President, are responsible for this.

As for Gingrich’s remarks, I feel he has a point. As the third highest ranking political figure in the nation, to be asked to exit the rear of Air Force One so that the President can avoid the appearance that he may be “in bed with the enemy” or somehow compromising himself on the issues truly is petty and insincere.

It has been reported that Senator Dole and Speaker Gingrich wished to discuss the impending budget impasse during the flight, but Clinton rejected the opportunity to prevent the problem before it had even begun.

In fact, that same week the President showed his immaturity by hanging up on Dole and Gingrich when they suggested he support a balanced budget in seven years as part of the continuing resolution that would have kept the government up and running.

The President had supported such provisions as a candidate, even claiming to eliminate the deficit in only five years.

Did he claim to do so only to get himself elected in 1992? The public mandated a balanced budget as part of the Contract with America in 1994 and it is quite refreshing to find Congress willing to stand up and put America back on financial track, even under the opposition of the President.

The going will be tough, and all areas of the federal bureaucracy will need to be trimmed in order to get there.

Asking college students to make interest payments from the day they receive an educational loan as if it were a bank loan is not foolish, it is the responsible thing to do.

Reigning in entitlement spending that would otherwise bankrupt the system is not hysterical, but the correct way to save it, and I am confident that Congress will.

People learn from their mistakes, and Congress is finally on the way to correcting theirs. History has a way of vindicating great acts even though they may not be fully comprehended at its inception.

I ask Mr. Davis: Will history be able to vindicate President Clinton’s behavior down the road?

Matthew L. Manternach is a senior in Agricultural Business and Management.