I thought it was Carter during the fabricated fuel shortages that first went to 55,  but it doesn't matter.    Republicans used to be very pragmatic problems solvers, often grounded in private leadership roles.   (I pulled for George Romney) They weren't 'warm' enough for those who couldn't look past the problem to the solution.    

I had a deep respect for those Republicans who I always viewed as more consistent in leadership skills.    I respect the empathy for others that i personally see in liberalism,, but we need a viable, fact based Republican party of problem solvers.     All seems lost at the moment, but that leaves an opening for a man or woman, to step into the gap.   I hope I recongize that person when they appear.    *I believe Pres Bush was sincere in his hopes for compasionate conservatism, but the engrained structures were tough and his hope for peacetime was taken down by the 9/11 attack and being caught up in war/security.