Concerns about the size and role of government are what seem to leave reformers stammering and speechless in town-hall meetings. The right wants to have a debate over fundamental principles elected Democrats seem incapable of giving it to them.

I'm convinced there's a small room in the attic of the Foreign Office where future diplomats are taught to stammer.

God tolerates even our stammering and pardons our ignorance whenever something inadvertently escapes us - as indeed without this mercy there would be no freedom to pray.