Allan Bense Assumes Chairmanship of The James Madison Institute

Allan Bense Assumes Chairmanship of
The James Madison Institute
www.jamesmadison. org

TALLAHASSEE – Former Speaker of the House Allan Bense has officially
assumed the reins of The James Madison Institute from Charles Hilton
who stepped down as Chairman after five years at the helm. By formal
acclamation, JMI's Board of Directors praised Hilton's dedicated and
able service to the Institute. Although no longer continuing as
Chairman, Hilton will remain an active member of the board.

* "Charles Hilton has been a great chairman and leaves big shoes to
fill. Under his able leadership, The James Madison Institute has
experienced significant growth in membership and influence while
maintaining and nurturing the Institute's reputation for integrity
and independent thought." Allan Bense, Incoming Chairman of the
Board, The James Madison Institute

Following the completion of his tenure with the Florida House of
Representatives in 2006, Bense returned home to Panama City to focus
on his family and various business interests. He continues to serve
the People of Florida and is on the Board of Directors of Enterprise
Florida, The Florida Council of 100, The Florida Chamber of Commerce,
and other various organizations. He is also Chairman of the Board of
the Bense Family Foundation.

* "For over four years, JMI's Board has been led by a great freedom
warrior, Charles Hilton. Luckily for us, as he steps down, another
proven leader is ready to take up the gauntlet. Known statewide for
his even-handed and fair leadership, Allan Bense is a businessman and
public servant widely respected by Floridians of all stripes." Bob
McClure, President & CEO, The James Madison Institute

More information on JMI's Board of Directors is available on-line at
www.jamesmadison. org.

Glen Leirer answers the News Herald

January, 2 2009

To: Scott Kent
Panama City News Herald
42 cent Forum

Jim Hightower’s long trip through the Bush years (his article January 2) was a trip he elected to take through the liberal media lies, exaggerations and demonizing of Bush for everything even if it was beneficial for our country. For example he made three points about tax cuts for the rich. These tax cuts were the prime reason for the economic recovery we experienced after the terrorist attack on 9/11/2001 and the economy continued to grow until the Democrats took over congress in 2006.

The majority of Jim’s points are just wrong;
• Weapons of mass destruction: There were weapons of mass destruction, the yellow cake is now stored in Canada.
• Valerie Plame: Another media myth, she was not outed by Scooter Libby. She and husband Joe Wilson were media darlings and would have “0” credibility if the news media did their job and told the facts about this case.
• Scooter Libby: Patrick Fitzgerald knew who leaked Valerie’s name soon after he started the investigation, it was not Scooter.
• Abu Ghraib: Some renegade sex crazed soldiers, duh.
• “Mission Accomplished”: It was.
• Gitmo: Where does Jim want us to put these mad dog killers? I’ll bet not the Huntsville Prison in Texas.
• “I’m the decider”: Well, who else?
• Fired federal prosecutors: Bush fired 9 Clinton fired 90. Normally this is standard practice except when Bush does it.
• Illegal spying on Americans: How would Jim know this? It has to be a myth.
• Executive privilege: Hey Jim; remember Bill Clinton and Monica.
• Signing statements: Jim, I believe all presidents do this.
• Iraqi journalist throws shoe: How about that quick reaction, even after the liberal media has beat on him for 8 years.

Jim’s column is a good example of media exaggerations when he lumps in the following points; Halliburton, Blackwater, Minneapolis bridge collapse, Cheney shoots lawyer. In a couple weeks Jim and his cohorts will have their choice in the White House, maybe than we can get back to true and even-handed reporting that this country desperately needs.

Glen E Leirer

RPOF Chairman Greer considering RNC run

By Billy House, Tampa Tribune

bhouse@tampatrib.com

WASHINGTON - Florida GOP Chairman Jim Greer says he might join a half-dozen declared candidates for the Republican National Committee's top post.

The national party, seeking to rebuild after its poor showing in November and in the 2006 congressional elections, is scheduled to elect a chairman Jan. 30 in Washington.

As of now, Greer says he is not a candidate.

"I'm going to take a look at it," he said Wednesday, confirming an interest in the top RNC job that he floated a day earlier in an e-mail to fellow national party committee members.

Greer's interest comes as he and some other RNC members prepare to gather next week in Washington to hear from six candidates who have declared they are running.

In his e-mail, Greer, who served on the city council in Oviedo, near Orlando, thanked RNC members who he says have encouraged his potential candidacy. He also said he is weighing a number of factors, including his focus "on fostering an open discussion of the future of the Republican Party."

In an interview Wednesday, Greer said the declared candidates have asked to meet with him in Washington next week to solicit his support, and that he intends to hear them out.

Before he determines whether to seek the job, Greer said he will be focus on keeping his state chairmanship in a contest to be decided Jan. 10 in Orlando. Greer has opposition but appears headed to victory with the backing of Gov. Charlie Crist.

If he wins, Greer expects to decide on running for the national chairmanship a few days later, he said.

His late entry would come as others have launched Web sites to promote themselves and taken other steps to woo support from party committee members.

Others vying for the chairmanship are Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis, former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, South Carolina GOP chief Katon Dawson, current RNC Chairman Mike Duncan, former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele and former Tennessee GOP Chairman Chip Saltsman.

Chairman Greer condemns RNC Chairman candidate Chip Saltsman

Charlie Crist has, in the wake of the election, cast himself as a leader of the modernizing, more diverse Republican Party and seems to be weighing in indirectly, via a statement from his state party chairman, Jim Greer, on the Saltsman flap:

"As the GOP Chairman in one of our nation’s most ethnically and culturally diverse states, I am especially disappointed by the inappropriate words and actions we’ve seen over the past few days. I am proud of those party leaders who have stood up in firm opposition to this type of behavior.

In Florida we have worked hard to reach out to ALL citizens to promote the Republican Party’s principles and values while ensuring that our commitment to African-Americans, Hispanics, and other minority communities is sincere and credible. Actions such as the distribution of this CD, regardless of intent, only serves to promote divisiveness and distracts us from our common goal of building our party.

Today, the GOP has an unprecedented opportunity to embrace change and inclusion, and we are either going to welcome this opportunity fully or watch it slip through our fingers. We can only achieve success if Republican leaders reject racial or any other acts that divide us and instead embrace what unites us as a nation."

Greer courts RNC members

From the Miami Herald

Check out the letter the RPOF chairman Jim Greer wrote to RNC members on the jump. He has not decided if he is running for RNC chair but says he'll have a decision soon.

Dear Fellow RNC Member:

First let me wish you and your family a Happy New Year, and I hope you
are enjoying the holidays and taking some well-deserved rest.

As the election for RNC Chairman approaches, I want to commend each of
you for your service to the Republican Party. I also want to thank those
of you who have called and sent notes of encouragement regarding my
potential candidacy for RNC Chair.

In deciding whether to seek the Chairmanship, I am considering many
factors, including my commitment to the Republican Party of Florida. I
am dedicated to working with the many staff, county leaders, and
volunteers who are working to build upon the many victories we have
accomplished in the Sunshine State. I am also focused on fostering an
open discussion on the future of the Republican Party.

While I continue to consider these factors, I will not make a decision
whether to seek the Chairmanship or support a candidate until we have
all had the chance to listen to the views of the current candidates at
the upcoming Americans for Tax Reform debate and hear their beliefs on
the direction our Party should take.

The Republican Party faces a tremendous opportunity in the coming days.
We cannot let this opportunity slip through our fingers. To be
successful, we must remain committed to our Party's values and
principles, while focusing on the issues discussed at family dinner
tables across the nation.

Friends, let us remember that every one of the candidates who seek the
RNC Chairmanship are remarkable Republican leaders who have served our
Party with distinction.

I look forward to seeing each of you soon and discussing the future of
our great Party.

Warmest Regards,
Jim Greer

RNC Resolution accuses President Bush of embracing bailout "socialism"

From the Washington Times

Republican Party officials say they will try next month to pass a resolution accusing President Bush and congressional Republican leaders of embracing "socialism," underscoring deep dissension within the party at the end of Mr. Bush's administration.

Those pushing the resolution, which will come before the Republican National Committee at its January meeting, say elected leaders need to be reminded of core principles. They said the RNC must take the dramatic step of wading into policy debates, which traditionally have been left to lawmakers.

"We can't be a party of small government, free markets and low taxes while supporting bailouts and nationalizing industries, which lead to big government, socialism and high taxes at the expense of individual liberty and freedoms," said Solomon Yue, an Oregon member and co-sponsor of a resolution that criticizes the U.S. government bailouts of the financial and auto industries. Republican National Committee Vice Chairman James Bopp Jr. wrote the resolution and asked the rest of the 168 voting members to sign it.

"The resolution also opposes President-elect Obama's proposed public works program and supports conservative alternatives," while encouraging the RNC "to engage in vigorous public policy debates consistent with our party platform," said Mr. Bopp, a leading attorney for pro-life groups who has also challenged the campaign finance legislation that Mr. Bush signed.

If enacted, the resolution would put the party on record opposing the $700 billion bailout of the financial sector, which passed Congress with Republican support and was signed by Mr. Bush, and opposing the bailout of the auto industry. The auto bailout bill was blocked by Senate Republicans, but Mr. Bush then reversed course and announced that he would use financial bailout money to aid the auto manufacturers.

The RNC usually plays a policy role only every four years when it frames the national party platform, which typically is forgotten quickly. More...

Obama gets Boyd "excited"

(Sometimes the jokes just write themselves-ed)

From the Tallahassee Democrat
(Does he ever talk to the News Herald, or what?-ed)

WASHINGTON — President-elect Barack Obama has promised to go through the budget of each federal agency with a fine-tooth comb, and that gets fiscal conservatives like Rep. Allen Boyd excited.

In fact, pledges made by the incoming administration remind him of the last time a Democrat occupied the White House.

"The Clinton administration went in and cut every agency there was. Government spending actually declined. Most people have forgotten that, but the numbers speak for themselves," said Boyd, a Monticello Democrat. "When you cut spending, you gain the confidence of the American people that you've got an efficient government doing what it's supposed to be doing and doing it well."

Boyd expressed optimism that Obama will set a tone in Washington that will encourage cooperation and productivity from both parties in Congress.

"We didn't have that in the last two years, when we've had a divided government," he said, referring to the Republican White House and the Democrat-controlled Congress. That shows, he said.

Congress is wrapping up a year that will be most remembered for the numerous financial bailout packages and a dearth of any other type of bill.

Federal lawmakers began the year on an optimistic note, supporting legislation intended to stimulate the economy through rebate checks to taxpayers. However, recipients failed to spend the extra money as hoped, forcing Congress into rescue mode, first trying to save struggling homeowners, then the financial industry and finally, domestic automobile makers.

Although he considered the bill flawed, Boyd voted for a historic $700 billion measure to rescue the financial sector. However, he opposed a $14 billion loan package for the nation's top three automakers.

"You've got an industry getting waxed by competitors around the world, because their cost of production and what they're producing is different from what it should be. And the market's got to work that out for them, not the government," he said.

Although critics have described the congressional year as long on bailouts and short on any other type of bill, Boyd touted several House accomplishments that affected North Florida, including:

# $8.5 million in appropriations for various military-related research projects conducted by Florida State University.

# $12.4 million for similar national defense-related projects at Florida A&M University.

# $11.6 million for the construction of a new Air Control Squadron Operations Training Complex at Tyndall Air Force Base. (Wow. Panama City actually gets an earmark.-ed)

# $800,000 million for Tallahassee Community College to establish a Manufacturing and Industrial Technology Center.

Boyd acknowledged Congress punted other big-ticket budget items such as health care and Social Security issues to the next year.

Also ahead: A decision on whether Boyd will run for the Senate seat that will be vacated by U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez, an Orlando Republican.

Boyd said he enjoys being a congressman, particularly for a region where generations of his family grew up and where he represents "people I've known for all my life."

But he said he also feels compelled to pursue public service to a further level.

"That's a decision I have to make now — where is the best platform to do that," he said. "Is it to stay in the U.S. House of Representatives, where we have worked for 12 years . . . or do we go into the smaller body, with only 100 members, start all over in terms of pecking order and move up."

Boyd said he and his wife, Cissy, will use the holidays to make a decision. He expects to make an announcement in January.

Putting the people back in politics

By RPOF Chairman Jim Greer

Over the past 25 years I have had the opportunity to view the Republican Party wearing the hat of a small-town city councilman, political fundraiser, and now as chairman of the state party for the fourth largest state in the nation, during the most important presidential election in my lifetime.

Despite this tremendous opportunity, the role from which I have learned the most was not my last two years as chairman, but the years when, like the majority of Americans, I wore the hat of a small business owner, husband, and father of four. It is through the eyes of a businessman – not the party structure – that I became a Republican. I’ve learned that our party draws its strength not from the principles elected officials talk about, but from the values average Americans live by.

Refocusing on these values, putting partisan rhetoric aside, and putting the people back in politics, Republicans can regain our foundation and focus on serving the people. It’s what we do in Florida. It works for us here, and I believe it’s what we need to do in Washington and across the nation.

This election cycle marks the toughest political environment for Republicans since Watergate. Yet on Nov. 4, Florida emerged as a Republican stronghold in a nation swept by Democrat victories. Though Sen. John McCain was outspent in Florida by tens of millions, our Republican team’s impressive ground game made it possible to come within just two and a half points of winning Florida for McCain.

It was a perfect environment for Democrats in Florida. The nation wanted change. Florida Democrats were awash in cash and staff, with a never-before-seen-ground game. Yet the Florida Democrat Party defeated not one – not a single one – of our Republican incumbents in the Florida House and Senate. In Miami, an area Barack Obama carried, Mario and Lincoln Diaz-Balart both fended off credible, well-funded, DCCC-backed candidates. Republicans also picked up Congressional District 16 seat with Tom Rooney.

In addition to voting to maintain overwhelming Republican majorities in the state House and Senate, Floridians voted to cut taxes, define marriage as a union between one man and one woman, and oppose tax increases for community colleges. Once again, voters here illustrated that Florida is still a red state where conservative values like growing the economy and cutting taxes are important to voters.

Why was Florida so successful when the majority of the nation fell into Democrat hands? The answer is simple: we’ve replaced divisive partisan rhetoric with common-sense solutions.

In Florida, Republican lawmakers have focused on conservative public policies that keep taxes low for families and businesses, fostering an economic environment that encourages companies to locate and expand here. We don’t get caught up on issues that are traditionally Republican or Democrat. Instead, Florida Republicans work in a bipartisan manner to create common-sense solutions to challenges facing our state, our nation, and even our world.

Under Republican leadership we have seen Florida’s high school graduation rate rise over 15 points in the last ten years, reaching the highest point ever this year – over 75 percent. Minority students have largely driven these gains, resulting in a dropout rate that continues to decline. Republicans have given parents more choice over what educational setting best meets their child’s needs, and we have held schools accountable for providing a first-class education for all Florida students.

On the health care front, Governor Charlie Crist recently signed the Cover Florida plan, providing health insurance options for nearly $4 million uninsured Floridians. The plan leverages competition by partnering with private insurance companies to create innovative health insurance products. Cover Florida is voluntary, with no mandates on individuals or on employers. This market-based approach will create greater opportunities for Floridians to access affordable health care. In a year of limited resources, these reforms maximize consumer choice with a minimal use of tax dollars.

Under Gov. Crist’s leadership, Florida Republicans have positioned the Sunshine State to be part of a national debate on global climate change by championing environmental policies that encourage innovation and promote green business development. Florida lawmakers recently adopted legislation that gives businesses flexibility in meeting standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, encouraging wind and solar energy. Republicans led the way in creating a comprehensive energy package that continues Florida’s leadership in increasing energy efficiency.

While Republicans have produced results for the people, we’ve also kept true to our pledge to reduce spending and return more tax dollars to the people, illustrated by the Cato Institute’s recent naming of Gov. Crist as the most fiscally conservative governor in the United States.

Our party’s future is bright, but we need a decisive vision. We need new energy, new ideas and an unwavering commitment to our party’s long-standing values and principles of less government, lower taxes and more freedom. We need leaders who aren’t afraid to stand up for what’s right with our Party and start a dialogue on what we can do to get it back to basics—back to the people.

We’ve done it right in Florida by putting the people back in politics, and that’s the only way we can re-energize the GOP on a national level. Ultimately, Americans don’t care if their leaders have an “R” or a “D” behind their name. Americans want more than a leader who represents conservative ideals…they want a leader who has something to show for it.

Ron Paul endorses Mark Cross for RPOF Chair

What a year this has been!

And what achievements we have had. This Revolution is permanent. It didn't end at the Republican convention. It didn't end on November 5. It will not end until we have won the great battle on which we have embarked. Not because of me, but because of you. Millions of Americans have dedicated themselves to the principles of liberty: Freedom, Peace, and Prosperity.

An important next step toward fighting for our ideas within the Republican Party is the establishment of principled party leadership. In Florida there will be an election for a new state chairman on January 10, 2009. Only the State Committee will vote and only members of the State Committee can run. The elected State Committeeman from Osceola County is Mark Cross.

Mark Cross served as my Florida Coordinator for the Presidential campaign and was at my side for every debate and event scheduled in the Sunshine State. Mark helped establish an informal network of support across the state and I know that he has the integrity, leadership, and resources that would ensure a successful term as Chairman.

If the Republican Party is going to once again flourish, it is imperative that we restore honesty, integrity, and commitment to Liberty in our party. We need principled leadership, and I believe Mark Cross is the candidate to provide that leadership.

That is why I am endorsing Mark Cross for Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. Please join with me in helping Mark become the next Florida Republican Party Chairman by giving a generous donation to his campaign. I have personally made a donation and urge you to do the same. We need principled party leadership in Florida and Mark will make that happen. Thank you.

In liberty,

Ron Paul

Mark Cross Announces Run For Republican Party Of Florida Chairman

Kissimmee--- Osceola County State Committeeman Mark Cross announced his
candidacy today for the position of Chairman of the Republican Party
of Florida. During the coming weeks Cross will be traveling across
Florida to visit with members of the State Committee about the future
direction of the Republican Party. Cross is a traditional conservative
from the Ronald Reagan wing of the party in sharp contrast to the
current party leadership.

In announcing his candidacy, Cross called for a return to “principled
party leadership”. “We have to get back to the principles that made
this Republican Party grand...less taxation, less government spending,
fewer government regulations, and more personal responsibility. We
have to offer the voters more than just lip service. We have to deliver.”

Cross has promised to re-open the party to all Republicans. He pledged
to end the blatant discrimination and infighting that has recently
characterized the party. He recommended more financial assistance to
smaller counties, recommended giving the RECs and the grassroots more
local autonomy, and promised increased infrastructure for local
elections. He pledged greater funding of the party’s federal account
with better coordination and seamless integration for federal candidates.

He then challenged the other candidates to debate the issues. “Anyone
can talk about Republican Party successes and ignore the losses,”
Cross said, “but it takes “principled party leadership” to talk about
specific setbacks and make the necessary course corrections. Debate
denotes openness and self confidence and is a sign of health for the
party. When people are afraid of openness, we lose.”

Cross has an extensive Republican activist background. In Florida, he
served as a delegate to Presidency 3 under the Chairmanship of Tom
Slade. He served as Chairman of his local REC under RPOF Chairman Al
Cardenas and served on Chairman Carole Jean Jordan’s transition team.
During his last term as County Chair, he led his REC to 100%
Republican victory in a blue county. Cross is currently an enrolled
agent, licensed by the US Treasury Dept. He is also a real estate broker.

I have included a personal message from Mr. Cross here:

I am Mark Cross. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their hard work for the party during the recent election cycle. While traveling across the state, I have met many Republicans. Some of us have been working for the party for decades. Some of us have just gotten started. But all of us are motivated by the same reasons. Republicans genuinely care about the future of our country and local communities. Republicans want to make things a little better for our children and grandchildren. And most of all, we Republicans want to make a difference.

There are several principles that are inherent to Republicans. We believe that government is intrusive and the best type of government is the one that governs the least. We believe that job creation is better handled by the private sector rather than government. We believe that the best way to manage the economy is through free markets. Free markets will always succeed or fail in direct proportion to the amount of interference from taxation, government spending, or government regulation. That is why we Republicans have traditionally stood for fewer taxes, less government spending, and less regulation. But, you sure wouldn’t know it by what has happened in Washington the past several years under Republican leadership.

We used to campaign against those “tax and spend” Democrats. This year Obama and the Democrats were able to take the tax issue away from us because we became “tax and spend” Republicans. Since it was our party in power, it was difficult to confront our elected leaders. We knew some were wrong, but we did not rise to the challenge, so Republicans were perceived by voters as no different from Democrats. They told us so on Election Day. We have become two parties on the same big government road that will lead to loss of sovereignty and ultimate bankruptcy. The only difference between the Democrats and Republicans is the speed at which we are traveling. But when we know the ultimate destination, isn’t it time to get off the road? Republicans have to make a choice between liberal moderation and traditional conservatism. In January we will have an opportunity to decide which road to travel through the election of new party leadership.

The Republican Party of Florida faces a challenging future. It is very important to change direction and get off the big government road. We have to return to the Republican principles of Reagan and Goldwater that have made our country great. These principles include fewer taxes, less government spending, and less government regulation. American families have to have more personal responsibility to meet their needs with less reliance on government. We have to maintain a strong national defense by supporting our active military troops and our veterans. We have to protect our economy by limiting government interference and completely eliminate debt monetization. All we have to do is take the advice of our Founding Fathers and abide by the Constitution.

In January we will all have a choice to make. If we truly want change, we must first learn from our mistakes. How many times have you heard the phrase, “We have to do what is best for the Republican Party.”? I know that I have heard it too many times. If you think about it, all we need to do is to stop, change our focus, and realize what is best for our party is to promote what is best for America. John McCain’s campaign slogan was right. Country First! He just didn’t understand which road to travel. Freedom brings us together, melts away any differences, and makes America that Shining City on a Hill.

During the past several years, I have watched my party move away from the small government issues I have championed all my life. After my election as State Committeeman I have been asked by supporters across the state to run for Republican Party Chairman. After consideration, I have decided to accept the challenge. During the next few weeks I will be traveling across Florida to visit with the State Committee about the future direction of the Republican Party. I would like your input on our challenge for the future and Republican challenges within your own communities. I would like to partner with you to restore RPOF to its conservative roots through principled party leadership. Together we can build upon the successes of the past to create a bright and shining future. Please take a minute to email me your thoughts. I appreciate your time, consideration, and ultimately your support. Thank you.

Mark Cross
State Committeeman
Osceola County

How the GOP Should Prepare for a Comeback

By Karl Rove in the Wall Street Journal

What a difference a month makes. Since November's election, the GOP is three wins, no losses.

The first win came in Georgia, where Sen. Saxby Chambliss crushed his Democratic opponent by 15 points in a run-off election on Dec. 2. The other wins came in Louisiana congressional races on Saturday. One was in a Republican-leaning district in the state's northwest corner. Democrats outspent the GOP three to two and still lost. In the other, Republican Anh "Joseph" Cao defeated nine-term Democrat William Jefferson in a district where John McCain received 24% of the vote.


These victories have boosted Republican spirits. So has Sen. Norm Coleman maintaining a narrow lead in the Minnesota recount, leadership elections that injected new blood into the GOP congressional hierarchies, and a positive race (so far) for Republican National Committee chairman. Republican governors emerged from meeting in Miami energized, optimistic and eager for the 38 gubernatorial races in the next two years.

But many challenges lie ahead. Much of the GOP's work is away from Capitol Hill, governor's offices and party committees. In recent years, Democrats have done a much better job of tending the networks, initiatives and institutions important to political success. There are at least seven important functions, communications channels or institutions the GOP must launch or strengthen.

First, Republicans need something similar to Democracy Corps, a James Carville and Stan Greenberg creation that uses polls that are made public to help party leaders pick themes likely to resonate with voters and draw attention to the Democratic narrative on issues.

Second, while it's the responsibility of all, someone must take the lead on training candidates and party leaders and nurturing their focus on ideas. Under its founder, Newt Gingrich, GOPAC once did this. It needs to be revitalized or its original mission taken up by a fresh group.

Third, more than one out of five Americans eligible to vote is unregistered, meaning there are millions of unregistered Republicans. The RNC once used sophisticated "micro-targeting" to develop a list of 291,000 unregistered Texans who voted in the GOP primary or were registered Republicans in the state or community where they last lived. There were 1.3 million more likely Texas Republicans with no primary voting history. The GOP needs to take this nationwide. New ways must be found to encourage party organizations and independent efforts to focus on registration.

Unions and third-party groups spent $194 million on independent ads for Democrats over the past two years, giving them a five-to-two advantage over similar third-party assistance to GOP candidates. This doesn't include hundreds of millions in unreported expenditures by unions.

So fourth, GOP fund-raisers and allies must create cost-effective independent expenditure groups for House and Senate races, or Republicans will sink under the weight of negative ads, mail, calls and canvassing.

Fifth, there must be a special focus on state legislative races. Legislators elected in 2009 and 2010 will redistrict Congress and themselves in 2011. Today, there are 25 state Senates where either party's majority is smaller than 10 seats and 21 state Houses where the majority is less than 20 seats. In eight states, legislative control is divided, with one party controlling the Senate and the other the House. State parties and congressional delegations have a vital stake in recruiting, training and funding effective legislative campaigns over the next two years.

Sixth, new media require attention. Younger voters are increasingly getting their information from the Web -- twice as many 18-24 year olds get their news online than from newspapers. Political Web 1.0 was about faster and easier communications and Republicans had the advantage. Political Web 2.0 is about networking and Democrats grabbed the lead. The party that figures out where Web 3.0 goes will grab the decisive high ground in high-tech warfare.

Finally, ideas are always the most important currency of politics and never more so than after a party loses. The relationship between GOP policymakers and conservative policy thinkers should be strengthened.

It's not just conservative think tanks. There are independent scholars, academics, staff in governor's offices and state legislatures, and knowledgeable people throughout the country who can help make the party's conservative principles relevant today.

To do this effectively, candidates and party leaders must remember who they need to reach -- young voters who tilt Democratic; Hispanics and Catholics; and suburban and exurban families who were bedrock Republicans, but who have become disenchanted with both parties.

The GOP has the right principles to become the majority party again. What it must have are fresh, energetic voices who apply those principles to meeting the needs of American families. And it must put in place the infrastructure that will take that message and amplify it.

Those are challenging tasks -- but the last month has reminded us that the GOP remains formidable. The age of Obama may have begun, but so, perhaps, has the GOP comeback.

Mr. Rove is the former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush.