The early bird gets the worm; and when the worm is the presidency of the United States of America, the bird better be extraordinarily early.

As one of the rising issues of concern to the American public (yes, that means red and blue states), out of control government spending is what every presidential hopeful should be speaking to.

Gov. Mitt Romney is doing exactly that:

Voicing opposition to his party's ethical problems, as well as calling for a reduction in federal spending and the establishment of a presidential line-item, are positions likely to endear him to moderates as well as the conservative activists who play a prominent role in the presidential caucus process.

"I'm an American, I'm a Republican and I'm one of the leaders of my party," Romney said when asked why he had chosen to speak out. "And I care very deeply about my party and about my country, and the public image of unethical conduct in Congress and unnecessary and wasteful spending is harmful to our country and my party."

Read the entire AP story here.

Whatever his motives, we're most interested in the message.  Hopefully the rest of the White House hopefuls will jump on the wagon and start calling for more reform and less spending too.