Michigan moderate GOPer Rep. Fred Upton is making some interesting claims in his push to become chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in the 112th Congress. Unfortunately, his voting record doesn’t square with his claims. In a Nov. 15 colleague letter, Upton promised if he becomes chairman of the panel to pursue a “conservative agenda that focuses on cutting spending, removing the regulatory burden, restoring freedom, keeping government accountable through rigorous oversight, and jobs.”

But that’s exactly the sort of lip service to conservative principles too many Republicans thought was enough to keep the congressional majority they gained in 1994. They talked the talk of conservative principles, but when they didn’t walk it, the chickens came home to roost in 2006.