Eve Fairbanks: Which theory will determine the Republicans’ future?

On Jan. 5, Arizona Sen. Jon Kyl gave an interview to Roll Call laying out his vision for how to bring Republicans back from minority exile.

Kyl, who battled through a tough campaign himself and has just become Republican Conference chairman, had already informed senators and lobbyists that he plans to reverse the K Street-friendly M.O. of his defeated predecessor, Rick Santorum; push for a return to core party principles like small government and family values; and force veteran Republicans to really show they can still govern.