Tom Campbell's Unfortunate Defeat

Through this campaign season, many Republican primary voters have asked the question: "Is Candidate X conservative enough?" My ballot question is to ask: Is this a Republican who can do better? Hence my enthusiasm for Tom Campbell.

Carly Fiorina is the Republican nominee for US Senate in California. We all wish her well and look forward to a decisive defeat of Barbara Boxer in November. As we close the book, though, some thoughts on why I supported the loser of the contest, Tom Campbell.

Through this campaign season, many Republican primary voters have asked the question: "Is Candidate X conservative enough?" Whoever can claim to be the stronger voice of protest against Washington has tended to win, even when that protest comes from a strange or suspect quadrant, as with Rand Paul in Kentucky or Sharron Angle in Nevada.

I've had a different ballot question in my head. Republicans got into trouble in 2006 and 2008 because we did a disappointing job of governing the country in the 2000s. Incomes didn't grow, job creation was weak, wars were not won, we lost control of spending, and almost every major presidential initiative launched after the first 6 months in office floundered: Social Security reform, reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, immigration, healthcare. You often hear it said, "We tried, but Congress wouldn't let us." As Yoda might answer: "There is no 'try.' There is only 'do."

I'm not arguing that the administration accomplished nothing - just that next time, we must do better. And my ballot question is to ask: Is this a Republican who can do better? Does he or she join conservative values to knowledge and ability? Do they understand government, care enough about government to make it work better? The annals of American politics are strewn with the wreckage of the careers of conservatives who thought that all you needed to control government was right-wing rhetoric. It's a tough job, and you better be prepared from Day 1.

Hence my enthusiasm for Tom Campbell. He is a limited government guy who had also had the experience of directing the budget of the country's largest and most fiscally troubled state. As a member of Congress in the 1990s, he mastered the intricacies of the federal budget process. He understood the mess - and was ready at once to start solving it. We have no shortage in Washington of conservatives who can make fiery speeches denouncing big government. All too often those same passionate conservatives get out-maneuvered, out-negotiated, out-researched and out-worked when the hour of decision arrives.

Brains matter. Republicans will be stronger if we elect representatives of higher rather than lower ability. The slogan, "Why not the best?" has some rust stains on it, ever since Jimmy Carter of all people adopted it. But really - why not?