Republicans can bounce back, but it'll take time, effort

Last month the Republican Party was thrashed at the national level, and lost ground in Salt Lake County, raising some interesting questions:

What must Republicans do to stage a comeback at the national level?

Pignanelli: "The Republican Party is dead" Columbia Daily Register, Nov. 15, 1884 (post election analysis of Democrat Grover Cleveland's landslide victory). I have read the GOP's final obituary many times i.e., 1974, 1976, 1992, 2008; as for the Democrats i.e., 1980, 1988, 1994, 2000. History demonstrates the fortunes of our major parties swing back and forth. HOWEVER, a Lazarus-like revival happens only when the GOP acclimatizes to current economic and social realities. The U.K. Conservatives are rebounding by adapting to similar concerns. There is an internal struggle within Republicans amongst three major factions, personified by various public leaders: Republicans who exist in the 21st century (Led by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.), those who dwell in the 20th century (i.e. Gov. Mitt Romney) and those inhabiting the 15th century (Gov. Mike Huckabee). Until the former prevails, the GOP increasingly devolves into a regional party of the Deep South and several Rocky Mountain states.

Webb: Remember, Barack Obama won only 53 percent of the vote in an absolutely horrendous political climate for Republicans (collapsing economy, unpopular president, unpopular war, unresponsive GOP Congress, unexciting presidential candidate). Given those GOP millstones, Obama's popular vote victory was hardly overwhelming.

Still, Republicans have much work to do. Here's how to rebound: (A) Focus on ideas and solutions rather than culture wars and ideology. Make conservative principles relevant to solving the immense challenges surrounding economic growth, energy independence, education excellence, affordable health care, Social Security, clean environment and great quality of life. Reinvigorate a 21st Century networked, knowledge-age version of federalism as a means to solve society's biggest challenges at the local and state levels, instead of imposing one-size-fits-all federal straitjackets. (B) Connect with young people and update campaign techniques using the Internet's social media and new tools like mobile devices to raise funds, organize the grass roots, communicate new ideas, and introduce a new era of Republican collaboration. (C) Be ethical. Be pure. No tolerance, period, for unethical behavior. (D) Avoid the immigration quagmire. (E) Be ready with messaging and solutions when the inevitable horrendous consequences of massive federal deficits begin to occur.

Can the Republicans rally by the 2010 midterm elections?