If the rise of the Tea Party movement and the results of the 2010 midterms showed anything, it was that Americans were serious about reducing the size, cost, and intrusiveness of the federal government.

It’s puzzling therefore, that the 2012 Republican presidential field is so devoid of small-government conservatives. Oh sure, they all talk about cutting spending and reducing the deficit. They rail against the Obama administration’s big-government agenda and occasionally even criticize George W. Bush’s big-government conservatism.

But if you look at their records and policy positions, there is more than enough reason to be skeptical.