With the election of Barack H. Obama as the 44th President, and the Democrats maintaining the majority in the House of Representative and the Senate (with a possible filibuster-proof majority), the message to the Republicans, through the beloved media, has been that their policies and beliefs have seen their day, and the Democrats are in control for a long time to come.

     The Party of Lincoln and of Reagan is the Party of strength, and it is the Party that challenges the electorate to remain strong in the ideals of a conservative Nation, a Nation where the government is meant to be less intrusive into our lives, and where we rely on the concept of self preservation instead of government reliance.

     The mandate from the 2006 and 2008 elections is more of a mandate on the Presidency of George W. Bush, and less of a mandate on the Republican Party. This is evidenced further by the election of more Democrats who share a moderate view on social issues, such as abortion and gun control.

     The RNC, to forge ahead in 2010 and moreso in 2012, must revitalize and put forth a new face. As Rep. Paul Ryan, one of the rising stars of the Party commented, “we must move away from being the Party of angry white men, and become a Party of Warriors!”. The RNC must implement the necessary programs to begin to draw the diversified base that will be inclusive of women, Hispanics, the Black commmunity, among others. The Party must present itself as strong, unified and diverse, as diverse as the President-elect presents the Democratic Party to be.

      The RNC must set into motion NOW a comprehensive use of the Internet, for database building, for fundraising, for grassroots organizing. This was a key strength within the Obama campaign, and its model will be used by the DNC in future campaigns. The RNC must utilize the technology and strategies that the Internet provides to be competitive in future campaigns, and to be able to reach and focus on target markets.

      It is time that the conservative message of the Republicans not be looked upon as “gun toting God lovers”, but on the message of what these beliefs are premised upon and from where they have come. The RNC needs a leader capable of reflecting that ideology, and the true leader is embodied in Newt Gingrich, the former Speaker of the House. Though not the “young face” of the Party, Speaker Gingrich would be able to articulate the Republican message and to motivate the “troops” into action for the candidates. Couple the Speaker’s message with the business acumen of Gov. Mitt Romney (along with the entrepreneurial spirit of his sons), and there would be a powerhouse team at the helm of the Republican Party.

      It is very clear who are emerging as the rising stars of the Republican Party, and their future aspirations were kept in check throughout the McCain campaign. Now, however, as they’ve quickly shown up on the talk circuit, their roles in the future of the RNC are quickly developing.

     First and foremost, there is Gov. Sarah Palin. I stated in a previous post that her defeat as the Vice-Presidential candidate actually bodes well for her story and plans (though we would have rather that the McCain-Palin ticket have prevailed). Gov. Palin ran for and lost the race for Lt. Governor, and then went on to run in 2006 for Governor and win. Perhaps that pattern force is at work now. The Governor is not ruling out a run for President in 2012, and it is being discussed that if Sen. Stevens holds his Senate seat, but is ousted by the Senate because of his conviction, Gov. Palin may want to step into that seat. Even the “anonmous” attacks against her since the Election day loss are evidence that there are those who are threatened by a possible Palin 2012 Presidential bid, and they are trying to discredit her now.

Todd Palin and Gov. Sarah Palin

     Louisiana’s Governor Bobby Jindal, 37,  was on McCain’s short list as a Vice-Presidential pick, and he is already showing that he is testing the waters with several “Iowa” appearances this month. He was to give a prime time speech at the Republican Convention, but due to the hurricanes, he remained in Louisiana to lead his state. Gov. Jindal offers a strong record of his fiscal toughness, and his heritage and youth offer the diversity that would show a new RNC face. The first generation American of immigrants from India, converted to Catholicism, Jindal represents the American Dream even moreso than Barack Obama.

Gov. Jindal and Family

     Congressman Paul Ryan, 38, has represented Wisconsin’s 1st Congressional District since being elected in November 2008, and has never received less than 57% of the vote in his elections. He has recently been mentioned as a possible replacement for Congressman Boehner as the House Minority leader, but has said that he will not pursue that role. He is, however, being named as one of the strong Party leaders working with Boehner in the next session of Congress, and he will undoubtedly be a visible Republican face as the Obama administration begins to put forth its agenda.

Rep. Paul Ryan

     Gov. Tim Pawlenty, 47, of Minnesota, was also on McCain’s Veep short list, and has been a vocal surrogate of the McCain campaign and the Republican Party. As the Governor of a “blue” state, Pawlenty is a strong voice of the Republican message, and he has been able to articulate his creative ideals for such issues as immigration. Gov. Pawlenty, like Gov. Palin and Gov. Jindal, have been able to put a youthful face on the Republican party.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty

     Congressman Eric Cantor, 45, of Virginia, has been tagged to be the House Minority Whip, and if named as such, he will be the second highest ranking Republican in the House of Representatives. He is also the only Jewish Republican serving in the House at this time. Cantor’s role behind Boehner in the next Congressional session will make him a visible member of the House, and a key person to personify the Republican message.

     It is highly likely that several “mature” faces of the Party will remain as frontrunners in the 2012 Presidential race, including Gov. Mike Huckabee (now the host of FOXNews “Huckabee“) and Gov. Mitt Romney. Both have carefully worded any answers to questions about possible future campaigns, in a respectful deference to Gov. Palin and her role as a frontrunner coming out of the 2008 campaign season.

 

Gov. Mitt Romney & Gov. Mike Huckabee

     The imperative message to the RNC, and to these rising stars, is that they must move quickly to set the vision and tone for the Party, and to begin to articulate that message through its legislative efforts, as well as through the inner-workings of the Party, through its fundraising machinery and its communication efforts.