Republican Setbacks - Conservative Opportunities

I know I'm a little behind the rest of the blogosphere on this (though I did elude to it earlier), but it hasn't received enough time in the MSM. See NewsMax.

Republicans/conservative leaders - many that rose to prominence in 1994 - are putting forth what should be an obvious fact. While the Republican Party took a serious drubbing at the polls on Tuesday, conservatives actually find themselves in a position of opportunity.

First, many of the Democrats that won ran on an ideologically similar agenda, and several moved to the right of their Republican opponent. Webb in Virginia, Shuler in North Carolina, or Mitchell in Arizona - all ran as conservatives. This situation gives conservative Republicans an opportunity to promote their agenda, with hope of drawing support from conservative Democrats.

Next, with most of the Republican leadership discredited conservative should take advantage of this power vacuum. Look for names like John Shadegg and Mike Pence to begin to rise. This will give conservatives the platform from which to launch their comeback.

Finally, the political environment is ripe for the return of conservatives like Newt Gingrich and Dick Armey. It should be seen as imperative for them to re-enter the debate.

While I have not completely lost faith in President Bush, his meeting over the past couple of days with Dem leaders is troubling. It's no so much the meetings - this I can understand - but the areas of cooperation discussed - things such as a minimum wage hike. Conservatives must be willing to oppose the White House on issues like a wage hike or amnesty for illegals.

Now we wait and see.