[GOP Poet]

Oops. Thought you said full steam ahead as opposed to astern (which I believe means backwards, or behind a vessel--according to dictionary definition). I am not a boating gal, so the pragmatic application of this definition is a bit difficult to apply. But if this is what astern means, I clearly disagree with the idea that Republicans are going backwards or falling behind a vessel.

This party overtime is going to dominate for decades to come. We may have set backs, yes. Even stern lessons! Just you watch. The alternative? Massive poo.

[newgeezer]

I clearly disagree with the idea that Republicans are going backwards

The question posed to Dick Armey specifically addressed the GOP's commitment to small government.

My point was and remains that the party is not, as Mr. Armey described it, "adrift and rudderless"; rather, the GOP is growing government.

Thus, as I see it, with regard to its commitment to smaller government, the party is running full-steam astern (backward).

Then again, "adrift and rudderless" could be true, if one wants to make a case that some external force (the Democrat party?) is the strong current causing the good ship Small Government to go backward.