The problem with Republicans these days isn't so much the lack of an agenda; it's the shortfall of charismatic leaders. Last week, just as NEWT GINGRICH was signaling that he'll step down in mid-1999 to run for President, the party's rising star, BILL PAXON, announced that he was quitting electoral politics entirely. The move came as a shock both to his admirers and detractors, of which there were many, because of his efforts to overthrow Gingrich last year.
Paxon had long been contemplating a move up, not out. As of early February he had decided to challenge Gingrich's No. 2, majority...