In Defeat: Defiance or Renewal?

WWinston Churchill famously advised: “In victory: magnanimity; in defeat: defiance.”  But in recent history defeat for liberals has usually led to denial, and for the American conservative movement, defeat has often led to renewal, as Rich Lowry writes:

The recent history of conservatism is that in disaster there is renewal. Barry Goldwater’s shellacking in 1964 paved the way for the conservative transformation of the Republican party. Jimmy Carter’s 1976 victory paved the way for Reagan. And Clinton paved the way for Gingrich. Will Nancy Pelosi pave the way for something positive, and if so, whom or what?

And this weekend National Review Institute is hosting a conservative summit,  with lead-off speaker Newt Gingrich.  There will be policy analysis and also late-night partying, er, make that night owl sessions. 

Friday night is ladies night, featuring Mona Charen, Laura Ingraham, Kate O'Beirne, Michelle Malkin, and Kathryn Lopez.”

Saturday night is for the guys, with Mark [Steyn], Jonah Goldberg, and Rob Long.”

Yes.  In 2007, conservatives know how to have fun, even in the depths of defeat.