John Shadegg for Majority Leader
Time for change in the GOP
by Townhall.com Editors
Jan 18, 2006
WASHINGTON -- On February 2nd the House Republican caucus will hold elections to replace fallen Majority Leader Tom DeLay. The vote may mean the difference between a renewed and reinvigorated Republican Party and a party that is content with the failing status quo.
Three candidates for the position have emerged: Roy Blunt, John Boehner and John Shadegg. Shadegg, an unassuming congressman from Arizona, clearly outshines his rivals. Shadegg is a man driven by ideas and principles; he is also free of potentially disastrous lobbying connections.
With congressional approval ratings at dismal lows and public disillusionment near all time highs, the party in power -- the Republicans -- can and must change course or risk deservedly losing power by the will of the American people. The recent scandals surrounding Jack Abramoff, a growing disgust with the practice of congressional earmarking and exasperation with reckless federal spending have outraged rank and file conservatives within the Republican Party. Meanwhile, the American people wonder if this is why they sent conservatives to Washington in 1994 and defied historical voting patterns by reelecting majorities in the House and Senate in 2004. They are right to wonder. These are symptoms of a party that seems to have lost its way. Fortunately for the Republicans, an opportunity for revival is just around the corner.
John Shadegg would change the way things are done on Capitol Hill. He would shed light on the insidious game of congressional earmarking by requiring members to be honest with the public about the projects that they sneak into appropriations bills. Along similar lines, Shadegg wants to require the posting of all legislation three hours before a vote so that the public can finally see what their elected representatives are up to in Washington.
He also wants to lead his caucus in an effort to get tough on immigration by among other things, building a fence along the Mexican border. He would repeal the unconstitutional provisions of McCain-Feingold. He supports oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and he is rock-solid in his commitment to the War on Terrorism and finishing the job in Iraq.
In John Shadegg, what you see is what you get: a man devoted to conservative principles above politics. Shadegg was part of the Republican Revolution of 1994, and unlike many others in that class he has not forsaken the ideas and principles which swept that class into the halls of Congress. To the contrary, Shadegg has fought for those principles even when they were no longer en vogue. Whether it be in his capacity as Chairman of the conservative Republican Study Committee from 2000-2002 or as present Chairman of the Republican Policy Committee, Shadegg has carried the mantle of 1994 ably and unapologetically. Now, in 2006, Shadegg is the last member of the class of 1994 in Republican leadership.
The current mess in which Republicans find themselves begs for the wisdom and clear thinking of a principle-above-politics leader. Come February 2nd, members of the House Republican caucus will have their opportunity to cast a vote for change.
We hope members of the House of Representatives do vote for change. A vote for change is a vote for another Republican revolution. This revolution, however, will be in many ways more notable than that of 1994. This revolution will be an overhaul of the Republican Party while it is still in power. This revolution will signify to the American people that the Republican Party is capable of introspection; capable of recognizing and admitting where it has drifted off course and then acting to right the ship.
A vote for John Shadegg is a vote against business as usual in Washington, D.C. and a vote for a return to core Republican principles. Ten years after the 1994 Republican Revolution and near the 25th anniversary of the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, it is time for Republicans to again get serious about why they came to Capitol Hill. It is time for change. It is time for John Shadegg.
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