In past years, whether in or out of power, the Democrats have always wielded much power in the confirmation process. Yet the Republicans look like they will again expose their belly to the Left and roll over just to be good citizens and "go along to get along". Look where that sort of spaghetti-spined weakness has gotten them.

I need only say the names of John Tower, Clarence Thomas and Robert Bork to remind people of the unfair and insipid gauntlet that the Democrats have used on Republican nominees. There is a longer list of really fine American men and women who have not been allowed their hearings or who have declined nomination because they did not want to weather the fire storm that would be brought upon themselves and their families.

Secretary of State nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton is now before the Senate for her nomination. If there was ever a clear conflict of interest for a nominee for this job, she is it. Her husband, President Bill Clinton sold his presidency and its power for his own personal gain. It has long been known that Senator Clinton intervened at least six times with her power on issues directly affecting companies and others that later contributed to her husband's foundation. That's what we already know. What else don't we know? This makes the Blagojevich scandal look like child's play. The fact that a former president and a sitting US Senator are involved in a "pay for play" scheme casts a much larger shadow than that of a state governor. The landscape for Ms. Clinton to act outside the interests of the United States is way too obvious and it is here that the Republicans in the senate should make their stand. If this is not the proverbial "line in the sand" then there never will be one.

I will remind the Republicans that the Special Prosecutor law that the Democrats were so fond of that pummeled many Republican administrations met its quick and certain death when the Republicans named Kenneth Starr to investigate Bill Clinton. Once the Republicans showed the Democrats that they were willing to use the same power, then the playing field was even; at least for a short period.

If the Republicans desire to be a smaller party with little relevance, then stick with your game plan. If you want to restore the party of Lincoln and Reagan, then, cowboy up, grow a pair and fight for our founding principles.