THE PARTY ISN’T OVER FOR PHIL GRAMM

It’s long been known on Capitol Hill that Rep. Phil Gramm of College Station is not happy with the national Democratic Party.

The liberals and profligate spenders among his colleagues in the House of Representatives have not always set well with Gramm’s Texas-bred Democratic roots -or with his constituents in the Sixth U.S. Congressional District, which sprawls from College Station to southern Dallas County.

Rumors have been circulating in Dallas and Washington that Gramm was on the verge of jumping parties, especially after recent Republican gains in state politics.

But if Gramm does make the big jump, it doesn’t look like it will be this year. He apparently doesn’t want to offend the Democrat-dominated Texas Legislature, which could redistrict him right out of a House seat.

Washington insiders say Gramm is enjoying his role as a leader of the resurgent conservative Democrats who have formed a tentative coalition with Republicans on certain matters, including increased defense spending and budget cuts.