Preaching the Gospel of Small Government

New York Times ^ | 17 November 2006 | Jason Deparle

[shrinkermd]

Lawrence W. Reed is one of those people with so much passion for an unusual line of work that he invented a new occupation, and it has helped shape the conservative movement from here to the Himalayas.

Mr. Reed runs a conservative think tank school. Twice a year, ideological allies from across the globe travel to his program at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy in Midland, Mich., to study the tricks of the idea-peddling trade. Policy institutes have been central to a national organizing strategy that has long won the right a reputation for savvy, and state-level versions are growing in number and clout.

Pushing causes like lower taxes, less spending and school choice plans, they have offered conservatives a base of influence independent of electoral politics. Indeed, after the Republican losses in the midterm elections, many conservatives said this carefully tended world — of research organizations, single-interest groups, foundations and publications — was vital to the movement’s revival.

Mr. Reed has nurtured so many state policy groups that he has been called the movement’s Johnny Appleseed. But a competing metaphor is sometimes invoked, that of a restaurant chain. His school is part of an extensive system of support, a national back office of sorts, that allows even policy novices to produce abundant, salable fare.

Consider the experience here in Kentucky, where the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions has made enough noise for the state’s largest newspaper to call it a “conservative propaganda mill.” Its founder, Christopher J. Derry, was a sales executive with no public-policy background when he attended Mr. Reed’s school three years ago. He left with access to everything from off-the-shelf speeches and papers to management software.

[shrinkermd]

This is a good and fair article. No cheap shots. The election must be over.

The NYT did not endorse one Republican. Now they are making amends to stem their circulation losses.

[FreeInWV]

Sounds like a place the GOP leadership (and any new candidates) need to attend.

[JamesP81]

bump for later

[Dems_R_Losers]

The Times runs articles like this to send a message to Democrats that they need to do the same thing. Dems just won an issue- and idea-free campaign. They won't get away with governing that way and probably will give up much of what they gained this year unless they come up with some real ideas for solving problems that do not involve massive tax increases.

[RKBA Democrat]

This is a good article. All the more surprising that it appeared in the NY Slimes. Some editor must be getting a butt-chewing.

The article is good in that it's highlighting one way that conservatives are moving forward with a conservative agenda. Another way that the article didn't talk about is small grassroots political groups that champion one or a few issues. These organizations are run on less than a shoe string and have been remarkably successful; the gun rights folks are one example.

It's all about practical politics. Unfortunately, too many conservatives put most their faith in the GOP and remain disappointed when the party at turns either ignores conservatives, or flat out loses at the ballot box.

[RKBA Democrat]

"The Times runs articles like this to send a message to Democrats that they need to do the same thing."

Interesting perspective. Nothing stays static in politics.

[wizr]

Dear Bureaucrats:

GET OUT OF MY LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[George W. Bush]

article: When the Mackinac Center was founded in 1987, there were just three other conservative state-level policy institutes. Now there are 48, in 42 states, joined in an association called the State Policy Network. At least three former Mackinac presidents are now in the House, Representatives Mike Pence of Indiana, Jeff Flake of Arizona, and Tom Tancredo of Colorado, all Republicans.

Interesting.