Which candidate/party can offer a new political framework?

Gary Hart, former presidential candidate and Democrat senator from Colorado, penned a thought-provoking op-ed in the NYT today on the subject of the political pendulum swinging and a shift towards a "cycle of reform." He observes that "the character of the next Republican Party will result from an intraparty debate that has yet to begin and might occupy a decade or more." Fortunately, this blog is starting that debate, and I'm hopeful it won't be a decade before we execute a vision.

He also correctly observes that the Democrats "have yet to produce a coherent ideological framework." He tells Barack Obama to include three things within a new framework:

"National security requires a new, expanded, post-cold-war definition. America must transition from a consumer economy to a producing one. And the moral obligations of our stewardship of the planet must become paramount."

Guess what? John McCain, the new standard-bearer of the Republican Party, not only embodies those principles. He has a history of fighting for these principles. Unlike Obama, McCain understands that we are in a war where borders don't exist and our enemies don't carry the flag of a country. Unlike Obama's onerous tax increase proposals and protectionist policies, McCain's economic policies increase productivity and opportunity at home while opening our country to the world. Unlike Obama, McCain has a long history of fighting for environmental protection and conservation, balanced with responsible development.

BOTTOM LINE: Hart ends by saying that "the next cycle of American history is as yet unframed." The Democrats' lack of a new framework gives Republicans a great opportunity to have John McCain execute a "cycle of reform" in the right direction. Will we get it together in the next four months? Thoughts?