Conrad Goes Chicken-Hawk on Deficit

Dem Senator Kent Conrad has made it clear that many politicians will just have to risk their seats to back tough budget cuts. But don't expect him to do the same.

Last week, senator Kent Conrad summarized his heretofore successful career as a fake deficit hawk with near poetic accuracy.

Following the release of the draft deficit commission report, Conrad boldly stood against those who would prioritize their reelection over the nation's fiscal stability.  Some people would just have to lose their seats, he said.

So long as he is not one of those people.

No sooner did Conrad announce the need for tough choosing on the budget than he (to borrow from Monty Python) bravely turned his back and fled.  Word got out that the in-cycle Conrad was interested in abdicating authority over the budget from his chairmanship post at the budget committee in favor of the pork bonanza that comes with being the agriculture committee chair.

On the other end of the spectrum is Senator McConnell. His speech announcing his position against earmarks was graceful, forthright and befitting a republican citizenry.  To say that he will represent not only Kentuckians but all Americans by opposing earmarks is an example of effective leadership and populist rhetoric that conservatives should learn from.  There is no shame in admitting you were wrong and that the American people, who you represent, should have the last word.

This is a lesson John McCain could have benefited from during the 2007 immigration debate, and it is an example the president could benefit from today.

Here is hoping the GOP learns another lesson from the earmark ban. Earmarkers assume that the practice helps with their reelection. The evidence for this is anecdotal at best.  The 2012 elections should now provide a helpful case study on the utility of earmarks.