Cents and sensibility

The bad news is that the Republican Party has found its rock bottom. The good news is that things can only get better-especially because Americans are not calling each other comrade (yet).

The path to a GOP "resurgence" or "victory" or simply "not-losing-so-very-much-in-the-polls" is straightforward. Return to our roots, stay true to our principles and offer the American people what they have always liked: cents and sensibility. (Apologies, Ms. Austen, for the pun.)

Conservatism did not lose in 2008. Limited government and individual freedom did not lose in 2008. A weakened party in an unfavorable political environment with an unpopular incumbent president lost in 2008-as well it should. Because since 2000, Republicans have overseen massive growth of the federal government; ballooning of the federal deficit; curtailment of civil liberties; and two unpopular wars, multiple ethics scandals and a partial nationalization of the banking industry.

I haven't reviewed the party platform recently, but I'm confident it doesn't describe what has happened. That alone should be Republicans' inspiration for changing what will happen.

The GOP does not need to alter its message. The United States is still a center-right nation suspicious of centralized power, proud of individualism and cynical in its assessment of bureaucratic efficacy. So, instead, the GOP simply must make its deeds match its words. You cannot champion free markets and vote for the financial bailout; you cannot enshrine government accountability and not run Ted Stevens, a seven-count felon, out of the Senate. (And you cannot blame voters who judge people for what they do, not what they say. If only more were like them.)

But Republicans must change their tactics, particularly online. Barack Obama's use of technology revolutionized politicking; next, it will revolutionize governing. The GOP must stay abreast. Learn the lessons of the Obama campaign: the power of social networks, of crowd-sourcing, of decentralizing political organization. Embrace online tools to increase government transparency, to communicate directly with constituents and to deliver messages without "mainstream media" interference. Most importantly, connect online and offline activists. The results will be tremendous.

Republicans, this should be a time of excitement, not despair. If Republican policy is right (as I think it is), and delivered and debated honestly (as I hope it will be), then success will follow. We face a trying four years. But if we're smart, then these great challenges can become great opportunities.

At the least, I know that I look forward to it, com-err-friend.