It is interesting to me that much of the advice to the GOP is coming from Democrats. Much of it admonishes the  party to be more moderate - more inclusive. Sometimes memories are short. I was born in 1933- went political at an early age. The first time in my memory that the House was controlled by Republicans was during the post Reagan era with the Contract With America. This was not moderate, luck  warm,  or" go along to get along" Bob Michaels Republicanism. It was based on Ronald Reagan's smaller government, fiscal responsibility, strong national defense , rights of the individual conservatism.

The Democrats would like nothing more than to see the GOP become the compromising, me too but light, party that they tolerated in the pre-Gingrich days.  What the country is really wanting is for the young Turks of the party to step forward and say to the American people this we believe "we're heading in the wrong direction. Socialism does not work - look at history".   We believe like Ronald Reagan did. Free enterprise works.  Smaller government means more money in the pockets of those who earned. That money is put to work and regardless of the motive, benefits all.  Millions of people keeping money and making decisions of how to use it, trumps bureaucrat's judgement hands down.

What will revive the GOP will be committment to the people to return to the principles expounded in the "Contract With Americal". A pledge of not to abandon it for the glory of the  Beltway.  Smaller government which is less intrusive in the lives of average Americans. Lower taxes and less government intervention in our every day life. A strong national defence. This is what will make the Republican party a party of the people again. To the elitists of the party and the opposition party we say, "grab an oar and start rowing or get out of  the boat and swim to shore".

It is interesting to me that much of the advice to the GOP is coming from Democrats. Much of it admonishes the  party to be more moderate - more inclusive. Sometimes memories are short. I was born in 1933- went political at an early age. The first time in my memory that the House was controlled by Republicans was during the post Reagan era with the Contract With America. This was not moderate, luck  warm,  or" go along to get along" Bob Michaels Republicanism. It was based on Ronald Reagan's smaller government, fiscal responsibility, strong national defense , rights of the individual conservatism.

The Democrats would like nothing more than to see the GOP become the compromising, me too but light, party that they tolerated in the pre-Gingrich days.  What the country is really wanting is for the young Turks of the party to step forward and say to the American people this we believe "we're heading in the wrong direction. Socialism does not work - look at history".   We believe like Ronald Reagan did. Free enterprise works.  Smaller government means more money in the pockets of those who earned. That money is put to work and regardless of the motive, benefits all.  Millions of people keeping money and making decisions of how to use it, trumps bureaucrat's judgement hands down.

What will revive the GOP will be committment to the people to return to the principles expounded in the "Contract With Americal". A pledge of not to abandon it for the glory of the  Beltway.  Smaller government which is less intrusive in the lives of average Americans. Lower taxes and less government intervention in our every day life. A strong national defence. This is what will make the Republican party a party of the people again. To the elitists of the party and the opposition party we say, "grab an oar and start rowing or get out of  the boat and swim to shore".

It is interesting to me that much of the advice to the GOP is coming from Democrats. Much of it admonishes the  party to be more moderate - more inclusive. Sometimes memories are short. I was born in 1933- went political at an early age. The first time in my memory that the House was controlled by Republicans was during the post Reagan era with the Contract With America. This was not moderate, luck  warm,  or" go along to get along" Bob Michaels Republicanism. It was based on Ronald Reagan's smaller government, fiscal responsibility, strong national defense , rights of the individual conservatism.

The Democrats would like nothing more than to see the GOP become the compromising, me too but light, party that they tolerated in the pre-Gingrich days.  What the country is really wanting is for the young Turks of the party to step forward and say to the American people this we believe "we're heading in the wrong direction. Socialism does not work - look at history".   We believe like Ronald Reagan did. Free enterprise works.  Smaller government means more money in the pockets of those who earned. That money is put to work and regardless of the motive, benefits all.  Millions of people keeping money and making decisions of how to use it, trumps bureaucrat's judgement hands down.

What will revive the GOP will be committment to the people to return to the principles expounded in the "Contract With Americal". A pledge of not to abandon it for the glory of the  Beltway.  Smaller government which is less intrusive in the lives of average Americans. Lower taxes and less government intervention in our every day life. A strong national defence. This is what will make the Republican party a party of the people again. To the elitists of the party and the opposition party we say, "grab an oar and start rowing or get out of  the boat and swim to shore".

I have seen the liberal pundits wail in print today about the inexperience of the pick for Vice President - Sarah Palin. It is not without some merit that her youth and inexperience should be noted. Columnist Richard Cohen writes, "-she is eminently unqualified to be president of the United States. That 3 a.m. call had better be a wrong number."  Well, well, I wasn't aware that vice presidents were to be the recipient of the 3 a. m. call. I somehow thought that was supposed to be the president.

This would be a good time for Democrats to go back and read Hans Christian Anderson's ageless fairy tale entitled "The Emperor's New Clothes".  I think Mr. Cohen's remark is just as aptly applied to the Democratic nominee from Illinois. Obama by any reasonable standard doesn't have the knowledge and experience to receive the 3 a.m. phone call. Will he have Biden on speed dial and quickly forward the call?

The office of President of the United States is in the executive branch, Mr. Cohen. Experience in an executive capacity is a bit different from casting a vote on the Senate floor, especially if it involves flying hastily in from the campaign trail to vote on legislation you've probably not read. I'm afraid most of us would not count for much being a community organizer in Chicago as executive experience. I'm afraid "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" is canceled and his "phone a friend" option is rather suspect in the White House. Obama has the weakest credentials of any candidate I can remember, which goes back to Franklin Roosevelt.  FDR had been a governor, Truman a Vice President, Ike a military commander, Kennedy a military commander, Johnson a Vice President, Nixon a governor, Ford a Vice President, Carter a governor, Reagan a governor, George H W Bush a Vice President, Clinton a governor, and George W Bush a governor. Only John Kennedy came close to Obama in his lack of executive experience at a significant level. So this is the man who is eminently qualified to be the president of the United States. Mr Cohen, the Emperor has no clothes on.