Republicans Return To Reagan

There is little disagreement that Republicans as a group lost their way over the past several years. Republican leadership in both the House and Senate has ranged from weak to nonexistent and loyalty has mattered more than bedrock principals and values. That is the only reason I can fathom that Republicans put Jerry Lewis and Ted Stevens anywhere near our nation’s checkbook. Conservative values that infused the Republican Party from Reagan's presidency through the Contract with America fell by the wayside as Republicans settled into the majority. Nowhere was this more evident than in spending. The Republicans of today tossed aside the mantle of fiscal conservatism, embraced earmarks and spent like drunken Democrats. Indeed, in a role reversal, the Dems rode to power in 2006 on their promises to clean up the fiscal mess and to attack earmarks. As is now apparent, that role reversal barely survived the swearing in ceremonies.

Regardless, there is apparently a movement afoot to try and breathe life back into the Conservative movement among our lawmakers.

Capitol Hill Republicans are invoking former President Ronald Reagan in their latest effort to strengthen their party's conservative credentials, forming a new caucus whose members must pledge to support limited government and to restore ethics in Washington.

"We don't want to go back to what Reagan did," said Sen. Jim DeMint, South Carolina Republican. "We want to take those principles he stood for and go forward, applying them to the challenges of today."

. . . "As a party, we've been strong on social issues," said Rep. Paul D. Ryan, Wisconsin Republican. "But on spending issues, we've dropped the ball."

. . . Along with Mr. DeMint, Reagan21 was formed by a small group of similarly-minded fiscal and social conservatives. Sen. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma is the Senate's other leading member, while the House membership includes Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas, the RSC chairman; John Shadegg of Arizona; Mr. Campbell; Tom Price of Georgia; and Mr. Ryan.

"Americans are disgusted by a Congress that is self-dealing and corrupt — that spends too much and under the control of the new majority is moving dramatically to the left," Mr. Shadegg said.

Read the whole story here. This news is strikes me like good news out of Iraq. It is wonderful and it’s a real step in the right direction, but there is a long way to go before success can be claimed.