Gov. Blunt's Conservative Rallying Call

Governor Matt Blunt pens a column in the latest issue of the conservative magazine Human Events, urging members of his party to return to its roots of fiscal restraint and moral order.

The Governor says a return to these principles will win back the trust of voters and return Republicans to power. Blunt stirs up memories of conservative icon Barry Goldwater and economist Milton Friedman when he stresses the importance of fiscal responsibility.

"First, we must live by the conviction that public measures ought to be judged by their prudence; we ought to demand fiscal responsibility and deny the short-term benefits of political advantage or popularity," Blunt writes.

"Too many people elected as conservatives became convinced that big-government programs guided by conservative ideas were good for the country. They were wrong. Big government conservatism is a contradiction in terms and should have no place in the Republican Party. It is time that Republicans return to their roots and remind the American people that the party of Barry Goldwater, Ronald Reagan, and the Contract with America is the only party that can truly govern responsibly."

Blunt even uses stronger language, when he calls for a return to an "enduring moral order." Specifically, Blunt only notes gay marriage as an issue which conservatives should unite around to fight. But the Governor cites Democrats like Rep.-elect Heath Shuler and Sen.-elect Jim Webb as being able to successfully run and win by positioning themselves as "conservatives."

"The unfortunate truth is that the general public also made it clear that the Republican Party is no longer offering a clear path of progress on important issues relating to our basic values," Blunt writes.

Blunt then touts his own accomplishments as part of "the way back."

Overall, Blunt wraps his victory around the theme of smaller government: Eliminating programs, cutting workers, and his most controversial call - shrinking the size of Medicaid.

"Carrying out this type of reform can be very challenging, but the American people have made it clear that they want their nation governed by conservative principles and we owe it to them to do exactly that," Blunt writes.

Two questions come to mind: 1) Is this column a subtle launching pad to a vice-presidential bid? 2) Will Governor Blunt's Medicaid reforms/cuts be a political plus or minus come 2008?

Our friend, Tony Messenger, speculates that Blunt is positioning himself nationally. Roy Temple at Fired Up! thinks Blunt's critique could be aimed at his Dad.