"I don't think they ought to balance their budget on the backs of the poor."

"I don't think they ought to balance their budget
 on the backs of the poor."

Who said that?   None other than President George W. Bush in 1998, when he was pushing his idea for "compassionate conservatism."

"Well, now . . .  " (as George Will would say).

Instead, we get the exact opposite from the Paul Ryan budget proposal --which was passed by the House Republicans and enthusiastically endorsed by Mitt Romney.

But now Romney is trying to pivot and move a little back to the center to compete with Obama for the moderates and independents.

Not so fast, say the House Republicans, who claim:  "We're not a cheerleading squad.  We're the conductor.  We're supposed to drive the train."   That came from Rep. Jeff Landry (R-LA).

So it looks like there's going to be a bit of a skirmish within the Republican Party before Romney can freely turn to his battles with Obama and the Democratic Party.

No wonder they're trying to keep George W. under wraps.    That line of his from 1998 will make a wonderful campaign sound bite bumper sticker, and question at debate time.

Ralph