Apr 15, 2006

George Will Lauds "Remnant of Libertarian, Limited-Government Conservatism"

by Liberty and Power

Not so long ago, George Will was a favorite villain among champions of smaller government. They bristled at his contentions that Americans were"undertaxed" and that"statecraft" equals"soulcraft." No more.

Will comes out slugging against big government Republicanism in his column today. He denounces the"betrayal" of free speech by the GOP majority in Congress because of its vote to limit the right of Americans to contribute to 527 organizations. At the same time, Will names and singles out for praise the sixteen GOP dissenters as the"remmant of libertarian, limited- government conservativism" [including, of course, Ron Paul].

"The 211 Republicans who voted for big-government regulation of speech will have no principled objection. How many principled Republicans remain? Only 18. The following, who voted against restricting 527s:

Roscoe Bartlett (Maryland), Chris Chocola (Indiana), Jeff Flake (Arizona), Vito Fossella (New York), Trent Franks (Arizona), Scott Garrett (New Jersey), Louie Gohmert (Texas), Jeb Hensarling (Texas), Ernest Istook (Oklahoma), Walter Jones (North Carolina), Steve King (Iowa), Connie Mack (Florida), Cathy McMorris (Washington), Randy Neugebauer (Texas), Ron Paul (Texas), Mike Pence (Indiana), John Shadegg (Arizona) and Lynn Westmoreland (Georgia).

On this remnant of libertarian, limited-government conservatism a future House majority can be built. The current majority forfeited its raison d'etre April 5.

More Comments:

David T. Beito - 4/19/2006

Maybe....though I'm inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. Now, Newt is a different matter. Anything he says is transparently opportunistic and poll-driven and can be entirely discounted.

Craig J. Bolton - 4/17/2006

George Will is simply schizo. Either that or he'll say anything that he thinks will get him the attention he so badly craves.

Kevin Carson - 4/17/2006

And while he's at it, maybe he can repudiate all that "Henry Clay Whiggery" about the Interstates and hydroelectric dams and suchlike Gingrichoid bullshit.

Kenneth R. Gregg - 4/17/2006

Who knows, maybe Will will officially take back all of those nasty things he's said about libertarians and libertarianism over the years.

How much state will a Will chuck out
If Will will chuck out the state?

Hmmmm....
Just a thought.
Just Ken
kgregglv@cox.net