I was expecting to be disappointed by the recommendations from the President’s Tax Reform Panel, but what is leaking out so far is even worse than I expected.

It seems clear that meaningful tax reform is not going to happen with this administration. Significant tax reform will require a bold leader with a concrete plan, not political coward. This is the time for 2008 Presidential nominee hopefuls to break with the administration over fiscal policy. As I pointed out earlier John McCain is beginning to make his moves, and Newt Gingrich is spending more time in Iowa and New Hampshire than he is in Georgia these days.

The problem is legislators don’t win the White House. Governors (and VPs) have won the presidency since JFK was elected 45 years ago. We need a GOP Governor to step away from the pack and take the President and Congress to task for its irresponsible actions over the past 6 years.