The current administration seems to not have a concept of what Federalism is, but the idea is becoming a major topic in the GOP race. Fred Thompson is a longstanding committed federalist, and Giuliani appears to be a convert. In fact the two are fighting over who is the better federalist.

Romney, on the other hand, seems less committed.

Asked if he backed the GOP convention platform from 2004 that states, “We support a human life amendment to the Constitution and we endorse legislation to make it clear that the 14th Amendment’s protections apply to unborn children,” Romney indicated that he did.

I think he’s making a mistake. Federalism has to potential to be the glue that can hold a vast national coalition together. There is no way to reconcile the values of Mississippi and Massachusetts. Why try?