The Importance of Conviction

Peggy Noonan pegs it this morning:

The American people are not going to say, "I am relieved and delighted our Congress passed a budget." They will be relieved and delighted if Congress cuts spending. They would be relieved and delighted if Congress finally took responsibility for the nation's borders. They won't be impressed if you just pass bills and call it progress.

Party leaders are showing a belief in process as opposed to a belief in, say, belief.

So are consultants like Dick Morris.

What the people need is some proof that results are forthcoming. A budget formula, for example, that will put a cap on the amount of increased spending that can take place in any one year. An immigration bill that links the number of illegals that can be regularized to the country's success in blocking the entry of more illegal immigrants.

No, it's not results yet. But it's proof that the party leaders are willing to commit to getting results -- and that's a big step.