The last few days offered a study in contrasts. Charles Djou won a plurality special election becoming just the third Republican to represent Hawaii in Congress. He did so by sticking relentlessly to a pro-growth, low tax message that resonated in a heavily Democratic district. While Djou won’t vote with the GOP on every issue, his commitment to fiscal conservatism will be a huge factor in whether he gets reelected to a full term in November.
Contrast Djou’s steady drum beat approach to Rand Paul’s improvisational jazz. The Kentucky GOP senate nominee erased the euphoria of a double digit beat down of the establishment candidate last Tuesday by questioning the constitutionality of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, a federal law mandating racial equality. His points aside, Paul took his eye off the ball by engaging the issue. The 2010 midterm election results – and Rand Paul’s popularity – are not the product of a national rethink on the scope of Congress’s power to enforce the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.
It’s about the economy, Rand. The safest ground for limited government types this cycle is to stay on message that tax-and-spend must end. Just Djou it.
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