Jim Capretta offers some outstanding advice in National Review about the upcoming budget battles. He writes, “Republicans need to convince voters, especially independents, that their plan is one of sensible, pragmatic stewardship of the taxpayers’ money, and that the president and his allies in Congress instead are intent on continuing their reckless spending binge.”

Republicans can achieve this result, Capretta writes, by following this 3-part advice: 1.) Show a firm commitment to keeping the government in operation, by extending the continuing resolution (perhaps at levels below current allocations) – under which the government is currently operating in the wake of the Democrats’ refusal to pass a budget last year — all the way through the 2011 fiscal year; 2.) show a firm commitment to cutting spending, through a far-reaching rescissions package that would freeze federal hiring and salaries, rescind earmark spending, cancel remaining “stimulus” spending, defund NPR, and terminate other low-value programs and agencies; 3. make the 2012 House budget – which will take shape this spring under the very capable leadership of Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) – the centerpiece in the fight to impose fiscal restraint and re-limit government.