I think it is fair to say that Bill Bennett and Jack Kemp raised Paul Ryan policy-wise, when he worked at Empower America. The former secretary of education, who is a good friend and counsel for Ryan, says this morning: “This is a critical juncture in the history of this nation. We now have to decide if we love our country enough to do the responsible thing. This will not be easy but it’s what’s right and what’s necessary for the preservation of our republic. The president has not led; Romney and Ryan will lead, and ultimately, they will lead us back on the path to prosperity.”

The spirit of Jack Kemp is one Ryan keeps alive for a new generation — seriously confronting the “social justice” issues that the Left all too often seems to have a monopoly in public conversation.