The last time GOP backbenchers revolted against the GOP establishment, the Republicans took back the House of Representatives for the first time in 40 years and kept the growth of government in check. Now, twelve years after the Contract With America, the Republicans need another house cleaning. Plagued by corruption scandals and a failure to hold the line on spending, the GOP could use new blood. The race to replace Tom DeLay as House majority leader features a DeLay crony in Roy Blunt against Ohio's John Boehner, whose reputation as a good-government conservative has taken a beating as of late. It also features a dark-horse candidate in John Shadegg. Shadegg has a clean image, which will be important to retaining the House for the post-Abramoff GOP, and is more articulate and charismatic than the other candidates. Of greater importance, he voted against No Child Left Behind, the prescription-drug bill, the illegal-alien amnesty plan, and other monstrosities of the Bush II years. For reasons concerning policy and politics, John Shadegg is the right man for majority leader. He makes sense for conservatives disillusioned with the big-government direction of the GOP. He makes sense for Republicans worried about the party's hold on power in the legislative branch. Alas, Shadegg makes too much sense and trails, at the moment, the other two candidates. Republicans aren't called the stupid party for nothing.

Dan, once again, you are totally on target. I find it noteworthy that in an "un" scientific poll at townhall.com, Shadegg currently leads a field of six candidates by a wide margin.

It's not often that individuals or groups get a true second chance; the Republicans in the House have been presented just such an opportunity. After watching their fellows in the White House and the Senate squander theirs, Conservatives such as I can only hope House Republicans have better judgement, steelier resolve and firmer backbones.