RNC Talking Points and the Irony of James Baker, III

The RNC put together some post election talking points, which includes the following:

We need to refocus on our conservative principles of less government, lower taxes, less regulation, strong national defense, judicial restraint, and fiscal conservatism.

Let's see:

"conservative principles" means "whatever will keep us in power (see Rich Galen)."
Less government: See Patriot Act and Detainee bill
Lower taxes: okay, they have us there
Less regulation: See WV coal mine accident victims
Strong National Defense: See "Slam Dunk" intelligence reporting
Judicial restraint: See Terry Schiavo
Fiscal Conservatism: See Prescription Drug Benefit

The Republicans became less about principles before the election and more about power.

One reflection as Bush 41 returns to the stage: I was in New Orleans when Bush the elder gave his acceptance speech and said his famous "Read my lips, no new taxes" line. And was serving his administration when he reversed course and supported new taxes. I remember reading in the WashPo at the time a Jim Baker quote....where he said of the inconsistency of the lips and the tax raising, well, one was campaigning and this is governing.

I understand that governing involves compromise. But what you say to GET power matters. The problem with the Bushies is that the principles are soft and Baker's dichotomy of politics and governing is what begat the "say whatever it takes" mentality of the GOP in 2006.

Ironic that Baker has to return to clean up the mess.