C LARIFYING R EPUBLICAN I DENTITY E - I believe if we get back to

R’s, Republicans must We Republicans I believe if we get back to return to the basics of expected to take a hit conservatism to again that night, but the hit basics, there is a real be the more popular was even deeper and party in America. [...] I was lonesome, and unpopular Residents in my own 5th Congressional with the local media when I voted against District had unanswered questions about the Hurricane Katrina emergency funding and the war and their confidence was rattled. [...] I waved my hands wildly in protest as my townhall meetings, and there were no reassur- fellow Republicans signed off on projects such as ing answers from the President prior to the the “bridge to nowhere.” Whatever happened to election. [...] identifying themselves as Democrats increased In the new 110th Congress, the Democrats slightly from past years; however, more will lead, but Republicans must speak up and notably, those calling themselves Republicans remind the American public of the difference declined and they moved into the Independent between the parties and philosophies. [...] I am proud of my work to help protect the safety of Americans So, you see, conservative ideas are not through the reauthorization of the Patriot Act, dead.