February 5, 1996

This issue explored the political landscape following President Clinton's State of the Union declaration that "The Era of Big Government Is Over," which The Weekly Standard interpreted as modern liberalism's surrender. The cover featured three major pieces examining potential directions for conservatism and the GOP: David Brooks analyzed the concept of civil society as a powerful new doctrine, Paul Gigot investigated unexpected vulnerabilities in Phil Gramm's presidential candidacy, and John Podhoretz made the case for reconsidering conservative strategy in light of changing political dynamics.