"Real change requires real change." In a much anticipated speech,
former House Speaker Newt Gingrich outlined three core principles to guide
conservatives. First, he said, there is too much power in Washington
and not enough power in the grassroots. Second, Gingrich said, the
structure of bureaucratic government does not work. Third, he said,
conservatives have to have the courage to face the big truths. Despite
the threat of an oncoming snowstorm the room was packed and Gingrich kept
the crowd in their seats until the end. Interestingly one of the
first specific points Gingrich addressed was the McCain-Feingold Bipartisan
Campaign Reform Act (BCRA). "The McCain-Feingold law is explicitly
an assault on the First Amendment," Gingrich stated. Gingrich said
the response to Hurricane Katrina showed that "something has failed" and
the bureaucratic structure should be replaced with with a totally different
model, "a 21st century intelligent, effective government." Citing
the lessons of history, Gingrich said a strong stance must be taken on
the threat posed by Iran. |