David Frum says Grover Norquist’s speech at CPAC was the most important one, because it showed that Conservatism, Inc., thinks President Romney will be a reliable lapdog for the GOP Congressional leadership. I suspect Norquist is right. But so is Frum:

This is not a very complimentary assessment of Romney’s leadership. It’s also not a very realistic political program: congressional Republicans have a disapproval rating of about 75%. If Americans get the idea that a vote for Romney is a vote for the Ryan plan, Romney is more or less doomed.

To date, sad to say, Romney has worked hard to confirm this image of weakness.

Nobody wants a president who acts as the passive instrument of even generallypopular groups like labor unions. (Did you know that—despite decades of declining popularity—unions still have an approval rating of 52%? I didn’t until I looked it up.)

But a candidate who appeases the most disliked people in national politics? That guy will command neither public affection nor respect.

(H/T: Sullivan).