Now, spending is out of control. Rather than rolling back government, we have a new $1.2 trillion Medicare prescription drug benefit, and nondefense discretionary spending is growing twice as fast as it had in the Clinton administration. Meanwhile, Social Security is collapsing while rogue nations are going nuclear and the Middle East is more combustible than ever. Yet Republican lawmakers have taken up such issues as flag burning, Terri Schiavo and same-sex marriage.
They're fooling only themselves.
Chasing cheap points, losing sight of principles and big ideas
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This year isn't as good for the GOP. Two years of crossing public opinion on issues from Terry Schiavo to prosecution of the war in Iraq has left the GOP vulnerable, Merrill said.
"This is a very tough year to be a Republican," Merrill said.
Pima voters may tip balance of U.S. Senate
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