The Republican Hero of the Week award goes to Sen. John Ensign (NV) for objecting to a senate bill that would spend $9 Billion more on Medicaid.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/cst-edt-novak29.html

Apparently there is a block of GOP Senators looking to put a stop to the run away spending. They are:

Sen. John McCain (AZ)
Sen. John Ensign (NV)
Sen. John Sununu (NH)
Sen. Tom Coburn (OK)
Sen. Lindsey Graham (SC)
Sen. Jim DeMint (SC)

I’m finding it interesting that McCain - someone I have little love for due to BCRA - is leading the charge against his party’s leadership on spending. Last April at the Libertarian Party of North Carolina’s convention, I predicted a split within the GOP over this issue. As the Democrats become less and less potent as a political force there will be less and less reason for the big government (in both fiscal and social matters) Republicans to stick with the small government Republicans. One side will win control of the GOP, the others will form their own third party. Not knowing who will win control of the GOP, I can’t tell if another Democrat->Dixiecrat->Republican migration will play out like we saw in 1948.