As conservative sociologist Robert Nisbet noted, though Reagan is now the patron saint of limited government, the Gipper presided over the largest budget increases and the largest budget — and trade — deficits in American history. Nisbet estimated the size of the federal bureaucracy grew by 13 percent under Reagan, ‘with not one significant bureau or department, not even Energy or Education, despite promises, dropped’. Ryan is much like Reagan in this regard. Because though he loves to rail about fiscal responsibility, his legacy is overseeing under Trump the largest increase in the national debt since World War Two. There is, however, good news and a path forward to prevent the battle for the soul of the GOP from being reduced to a mere dispute over prestige, privileges, and donors. Virtually no national constituency exists for what impotent Ryan, hawkish Cheney and obnoxious Rep. Adam Kinzinger have to offer. However, consistent with broader trends, most younger white, Hispanic and lower-income Republicans lean populist in their economic preferences. Trump showed in 2016 that a socially conservative, economically liberal platform is the key to the future.