Howey challenges Indiana GOP to be "statesmen, not primary candidates"

Brian Howey recently wrote an excellent column, "From Obamacare hysteria to tweak & adapt":

My challenge to the Hoosier Republican Congressional delegation: What are the likely course corrections? And what are your solutions? The other challenge here is that instead of the hysteria we've been hearing from our delegation, they really ought to get into a mode where they are helping their constituents adapt. It's probably too early to know, because we don't know for sure what will work and what will need to change. They have latched on to Democratic U.S. Sen. Max Baucus's "train wreck" remark when it comes to the state health exchanges. That is a 2014 campaign tactic designed to ward off primary challengers. But it undermines and erodes confidence, and whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, that is not responsible governance. Hoosiers will need statesmen, not primary candidates.

I wonder if PPACA "Obamacare" implementation would look different if Daniels was still governor. He brought a great deal of pragmatism to the role. While it was difficult to persuade him to expand the role of government, he did do what he could to ensure that when government does play a role, it works as efficiently and effectively as possible. Today's Republican Party should heed his advice to set aside social issues and instead work on the people's business. Most people don't want the Grover Norquist ideal of "government that can drown in a bathtub" - they really want government that does its job and does it consistently and equitably, so that citizens and their businesses can make plans and count on the government for a stable political and regulatory environment.