Fair enough, Ryan...

Well said... you showed what you feel is extraneous and wasteful in our Federal government, and still managed to show that reality dictates that some of it is going to be with us until such time as it is used up or unneeded. Well done.

Now, let's take it one step further:

Can you honestly say that someone (you or anyone else) selling that list of cuts as a "platform" is going to be elected to the highest office in this land? It isn't an unreasonable list, mind you (at least in my eyes)... but as a platform for a political campaign or a reform strategy, I'd say its tantamount to a suicide declaration.

What would NEED to be said by a candidate for you to endorse them? I'm not talking about the obvious, either... any "conservative" candidate is going to promise to cut spending, end Obamacare, reduce government size and scope, yada yada yada. Bush promised it, too, back in 2000, but didn't... and you voted for him both times. Because there was no alternative, I know... but even you have said he wasn't your ideal candidate.

You've shown what YOU would do... but what would you VOTE for? How much compromise versus principle are you willing to take? Bush was the second GOP President since Reagan, and was a far cry from delivering on his conservative principles the way Reagan is remembered... are you willing to take another Bush Jr? Another "tax cut with increased spending" sort of leader? The kind that ends "Pay as you GO" but signs "No Child Left Behind"?

I keep thinking that, even if someone who really touts the conservative line... someone like Paul Ryan, Pawlenty, Barbour, or even Palin herself... wins the White House, they can't do what you listed as "necessary" by themselves, they need CONGRESS to do it, and your laundry list is long and full of both jobs AND entitlements that are going to shake up the monkey-tree something fierce. Is that even a sell that can be pitched in today's world?

Just to keep some perspective here... Reagan RAN on the promise of ending forever the Education Department. He did not deliver on that promise, nor did he reduce the size of government. He cut taxes, yes... but raised them again (against his will, I know) less than four years later. Until the Bush/Obama era began, no President since FDR had spent MORE deficit dollars than Reagan did... yet he is the model conservatives keep measuring new candidates by.

How does that work? I'm asking in all seriousness here... no sarcasm at all.