Michael Steele makes his case in the Wall Street Journal today, but it leads me to believe he should be supporting Newt Gingrich.
True, the country has changed and our party must adapt. However, it is wrong to believe we must change our principles or become conservative-lite. After all, the voters did not suddenly become liberal; but they have lost any sense of confidence that the Republican Party holds the answers to their problems.
Most Americans today see a Republican Party that defines itself by what it is against rather than what it is for. We can tell you why public schools aren't working, but not articulate a compelling vision for how we'll better educate children. We're well equipped to rail against tax increases; but can't begin to explain how we'll help the poor. We exclude far better than we welcome.
Things were different as recently as 20 years ago. Back then, Ronald Reagan made it cool to be a Republican -- it wasn't just his specific policies, but the timeless truths he so eloquently gave voice to, and upon which his policies were based. That's the Republican Party we must re-establish.
We must articulate a positive vision for America's future that speaks to Americans' hopes, concerns and needs. It's time to stop defining ourselves by what we are not, and tell voters what we believe, how we'll lead, and where we'll go; how we Republicans will make America better; how we'll make their families more prosperous, their children better educated, their parents more secure, and all of us healthier, safer and stronger.
And nobody has done all of this like Newt Gingrich, not only with his Contract With America, but with his work at American Solutions. And also with his books. I have nothing against Michael Steele. He'd be my top choice if Newt Gingrich hadn't put his hat in the ring. But Newt has, and Newt is the only one of the two who has ever done exactly what Steele is suggesting we do.
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