For this reason I am somewhat dismayed at the passiveness of traditional Republican politicians who seem to be leading, if that is the word, from behind. It is important that the adults take a hand or the demagogues will.

This is one of my fears too. It seems the upper ranks of the Republican party are neutered, too invested in their positions. I don’t see any leaders who can harness public sentiment. Palin perhaps, though what she is up to with her resignation I can’t say. Jindal maybe, though his first national performance was a dissapointment. Both of them have the credentials as reformers and corruption fighters. But I don’t know if they have the rest. And who else in the GOP can carry the standard? Gingrich? Cheney coming out of retirement? Maybe. I’d vote for either.

But beware the late entrants, the guys who never showed up in the field, only to come in when dinner was ready to be served.

Yes, but this is a worry too. Most of the old guard are compromised, having sold themselves into the system. I’m not sure there is much patience left among the electorate for more of hte same feet shuffling. I’m not sure there’s enough patience left in the economy. I think we will need someone willing to pound on the table very hard, knowing that the alternative is to flip it over completely. I don’t see that person on the horizon. I think it may have to be a late enrant, someone who is both fed up with, and uninvested in, the existing D.C. power structure. Yes, there’s a great deal of danger that person will turn out to be a demagogue. Part of the tragedy is that the adults stood around having stupid and petty arguments about irrelevant topics while everything around them started going to hell. Having burned through our margin of safety, we’re going to have to make dangerous choices – the safe ones are all gone.