Friends didn't think it was that great, I actually though it was a decent effort if uninspiring -- basically, I'm sympathetic to anyone who calls out the lack of policy seriousness among the Senate's assorted moderates. (Evan Bayh should really name his now-below-the-radar moderate caucus the Horse Traders or something.)
The real value of this column, though, is that it sort of perfectly captures where the most forward-thinking conservatives are right now: desirous of a Bill Clinton-like figure who can reform conservatism without losing the heart of the project, and no idea of how to get there -- it seemed to me that this column was structured to wind up in a big finish with some sugestions and examples, but ultimately concluded with the hope that someone outside the Beltway would field that one. (The first step of this project should be getting Republicans on the same page about where outside the Beltway actually is.)
-- Tim Fernholz
