Once the Republicans lost the government shutdown battle of 1995 to 1996, winning the next election became more important than risking our majority to fight for the principles that propelled us into power. Lott's argument about waiting to work toward good government after his political position was more secure [after the next election] was the line of reasoning career politicians have always used to justify the cowardice of political expediency. When good government is something to be pursued tomorrow, that tomorrow never arrives; it is always after the next election cycle. In the eyes of career politicians, the perfect political moment for change is a mirage that is always just over the horizon.