Yellow Republicans

Why don't Republicans have these kinds of passions before elections? Sen. James M. Inhofe, in one of his final actions as chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, held a hearing to investigate whether press accounts have "over-hyped" predictions of global warming.

Yellow Republicans, who are afraid of shadows and media criticism, run away from convictions as though they were signs of disease. Sen Inhofe has, to his credit, done much with the committee while he chaired it. But instead of crediting him with the spirit of debate, his fellow Republicans shy away from any "controversy" that might lead to an editorial in the Washington Post or the New York Times. Heaven forbid, they should do their jobs and stand up for something (besides re-election.)

The one thing I always liked about Newt Gingrich, and still do, is his unwaivering support of his own beliefs. I may not always agree with him, but I respect the intellectual exercise that lead him to his views. You can't say that about most Republicans.

We are truly blessed in this country that the men who chose independence over colonial rule and who persisted in their defense of religion, free speech, and morality had guts and fortitude. And decency. They would not have called themselves Yellow Republicans.