(FORTUNE Magazine) – Big-time politics is sometimes a trivial pursuit. Just ask Paul Weyrich. Until recently, the Republican Party stalwart was one of the few nonlawmakers who could drive all the way up to the east entrance of the Capitol to disembark for meetings. While unusual, the privilege made sense. As president of NET-Political Newstalk Network, Weyrich is a right-winger with clout. In addition, he has had trouble walking since he injured his back and right leg in a nasty fall last year.

None of that counted when Weyrich--along with other conservative leaders--criticized Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott recently for what he sees as Lott's excessive accommodation of the Democrats and President Clinton. Weyrich even went so far as to call Lott a "dead letter."

His very Washingtonian punishment? Under orders from Lott's office, the Capitol police will no longer allow Weyrich's car beyond the guardhouse on the edge of the parking plaza. Maybe his cane will be confiscated next. Lott isn't commenting.

--Jeffrey H. Birnbaum