The problem for conservatives with the arrival of our "hour" is leadership. It appears that we are not flush with the kind of leadership that we had in the Reagan years or even in the 1990s (the Gingrich years?). Well, maybe things are not as bad as they appear at first glance. Possibly Newt has been chastened by experience and is ready to lead soberly and steadily. Steadiness was a problem for him in the 1990s. Moreover, we have superb talent in the House of Representatives, with the likes of Eric Cantor, Thaddeus McCotter, Mike Pence and Paul Ryan.
Let me suggest two more potential leaders. Steve Forbes, the editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine, has been selflessly campaigning for Republican candidates. I heard him just a week ago, and no one has a better grasp of the issues. He is eloquent and has years of management skills behind him. In 1996 and 2000, he ran competent presidential campaigns. Speaking out on behalf of the flat tax, immigration reform, a forceful foreign policy, limited government and market-oriented health care reform, he has solutions to the problems facing us today. Incidentally, as the Obamamaniacs run up the bills -- now adding a trillion-dollar health care monstrosity -- what became of the concern voiced a couple of years back that Medicare faced bankruptcy? The predicted date looms just a few years from now.
Also out there bidding to be a national conservative leader is Dick Armey. The former House majority leader is a solid conservative with a record of advancing intelligent conservative policies similar to those advanced by Forbes. When faced a few weeks back with choosing between FreedomWorks, the conservative grass-roots organization he heads, and continuing with his lucrative work at a law firm engaged in, among other things, advancing Obamacare, Armey took the side of principle and left the law firm. My agents tell me he may resume his political career. I hope he will.
I also hope that Newt is right, that it is conservatism's hour once again. Giving the matter a second glance, I see some very competent leadership available, and there is always Mitt Romney. He did rather well the last time around until he started listening to his pollsters.