There’s a big VA republican gathering this weekend called the “Advance”.  The republicans are to figure out at this meeting how to get back in the win column.  There is much finger pointing – some believe Jeff Fredrick is responsible for our losses (he’s the party chair).  I don’t know wether he is or not but I believe it has much more to do with how republicans approach the electorate and a lack of vision.

Allow me a brief tale to illustrate:   I went to the VML conference in Norfolk about a month ago and saw both Warner and Gilmore speak.  Warner spoke on Monday and Gilmore on Tuesday.  Warner spoke in broad themes about where he wanted to help take our country and how things are tough but they will get better.  He conveyed a leader’s vision.  I wouldn’t say that the Obama speech writers had a hand in it but I would say that Warner has been paying attention.  Gilmore, on the other hand, did two things: complain about Warner and told me who to be afraid of.  It is obvious that these two men have different styles, etc, but the difference in their message was stark.  I see this same type of approach in other state and federal races as well – it is among the reasons McCain lost.

The net effect, both at the state and federal level, is that we’ve stopped being the thought leaders and become defenders of the status quo and when you stop leading you do one of two things: become a follower or become an obstacle.  Whatever you suspect we republicans have become there can be no denying that we are no longer leading (nor have we been for some time at the Federal level – surely republicans don’t run up $11 trillion in debt and expect to be counted as the party of fiscal responsibility).

At the state and local level it will be much easier for us to salvage our fortunes but I believe we must start with some practical solutions to our citizen’s problems.  We currently have little in the way of new, practical ideas  – as put forward by our most recent candidates that lost – and we need these practical solutions badly.  Republicans need to again be defined by what we are going to do and not by what we won’t do.  Taking that approach allows your opponent to define you!!!

It’s called vision and leadership and if you hear a statewide repubican candidate begin a speech in the near future saying that “democrat “X” wants to do whatever and that isn’t consistent with our conservative values and we won’t do it” then go to Vegas and bet on the dems to win because we republicans have no new ideas and have not yet reached bottom.

Just my .02