I've barely come to grips with the reality of "Congressman Bill Sali" – and now Bruce Reed wants me to consider the prospect of "President Bill Sali." Tongue firmly cheeked, Reed contends in his Slate column Wednesday that the R's best hope for revival is to go back to the future. Writes Reed: "Most conservatives agree that the key moment in the history of their movement was Barry Goldwater's landslide loss in 1964. In defeat, conservatives found the courage to be ultra: 'Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice. Moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.' " Rather than settle for free-spending Repub congressmen and presidents in Bush's mold, says Reed, red-meat conservatives should embrace a new standard bearer who'd have no chance of winning but would make them feel good – zany Sali. Reed, of course, was a top adviser for Bill Clinton and remains the son of Scott and Mary Lou Reed of Fernan. He also considers Idaho's 1st Congressional District to be the "nuttiest" one. So, his, ahem, concern for the health of the Grand Old Party is suspect. Again, Bruce: "Instead of trying to decide which Republican can win the chance to disappoint them again as president, conservatives should remember 1964 and rally behind the candidate who can lose the biggest landslide." Then: "In order to rise from the ashes, you must first throw yourself upon the flames." Admittedly, Reed and other D's are enjoying this winter of the conservatives' discontent. So, a reminder may be in order. Ronald Reagan arose from the ashes of Goldwater's defeat.

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