Rep. Paul Ryan

Over the weekend an editorial appeared in the Wall Street Journal entitled "Ryan for the Republicans" in praise of Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan. In a new interview columnist Robert Novak states "The most interesting Republicans right now are a few young House members. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin is the best of them." James Pethokoukis is hearing talk about him becoming the next minority leader.

Today Ryan had a great column in the WSJ in which he calls for bold action:

Our party has become too fearful of our own ideas. Since 1997, congressional Republicans began a steady retreat from principled leadership to political expediency. A party built on spending discipline and government reform succumbed to the siren songs of government expansion and earmarked giveaways. Republicans squandered the opportunity to limit and reshape the relationship between the federal government and the individual.

I ran on these bold ideas and innovative solutions in a congressional district carried by Barack Obama -- yet I received 64% of the vote. I challenge my colleagues to rethink political risk taking. Taking on our most serious fiscal challenges will restore relevancy to the Republican Party and will keep alive America's commitment to freedom and prosperity.

Amen. All the talk about how Republicans have to make sure to appeal to various constituencies to construct a coalition to ensure re-election really gets me steamed. You know what the American people like? Competent leaders. Stop focusing on the politics and start focusing on doing what's right. After all, good policy is good politics. Do the right thing and the voters will follow you. Opt for crap like the K Street project and they will desert you.

In any case it is good to see Ryan receiving all of this attention. You can read more about his proposed plan of action here -- which looks pretty good from what I have seen.