Democrats are winning in the south because they are picking religious moderates - Democrats who conservative on moral issues. For years the RNC has been not talking about the values of religious voters. Plus the leadership of the NRCC & NRSC have not made those issues a priority. Now that neglect is having negative consequences.

Goldwater lost in a landslide by focusing only on secular conservatives. Reagan won a landslide by uniting the secular conservative with religious conservatives and moderates. Bush survived the 2004 election in part because because many religious moderates turned out to vote for him, instead of staying home like they did in 2000.

If Republicans don't appreciate the full impact of the positive example of Reagan, perhaps they should learn from the mistakes of nearly 100 years ago. In 1912, African Americans left the Republican Party because they felt like they had been neglected.

As a grass roots Republican activist, I really do not want the GOP to return to its minority status like it was most of the 20th Century, but I'm not seeing any evidence that the national leadership has a clue.

Ok. Panic. What should the GOP do in their panic? Assume that more taxes and more government spending are going to end economic slowdown? Assume that emissions caps are going to improve gas mileage to lower the demand of gas? Assume that biofuels are the solution for our energy needs? Its really time for the American people to start showing concern for all of their elected officials. We have had eight years of a Congress that has approved a war in Iraq and then backpedaled because they didn't like the way it was managed, developed an immigration bill that no one wanted, passed legislation (biofuels) for solving the alleged global warming crisis which created a food production crisis. At a time when we should be coming together trying to solve issues, this article talks about divisive power and bloodletting. Yeah, its time to panic, but not necessarily the GOP.

COLONEL MCAMNESTY LEADING REPUBLICANS TO THE LITTLE BIG HORN!

Voted GOP since 1980. Won't do it this time. It's Obama or Ron Paul this time. All incumbents should be kicked out, along with the corruption caused by corporate globalists, the hijacking of foreign policy by the Israel lobby, immigration and the fraudulent work visa program. Ordinary citizens are being betrayed by their government. Easily the worst Congress in our history.

Republicans are losing because they fail to perform. Commitment to principled performance seems elusive--they overspend, they violate ethics, they fail to take and hold positions on immigration, energy, judiciary, and so forth. Is it any wonder that Republicans fail to attract supporters? When the choice is more of the same or the chance for change, what would you pick? These comments, by the way, are from a staunch conservative who genuinely agonizes over whether or not to vote in the fall. McCain or what?? What a choice. Will "what" be on the ballot!?!!??!???

Perhaps the GOP can survive once they get out of the country clubs and rub shoulders with their real base. I hope for a GOP congress but will never support John McAmnesty.

The reason Republicans are losing is because they have become Democrats on issues which stand to have the strongest impact on all of us, constitutionally or not. We have three Democrats in strongest contention for the presidency. The worst part is that, well, only two of them are actually calling themselves Democrats. One of them claims to be a Republican, but clearly is not. It is that obvious lie that is going to sting--and badly so--come November.

I too have voted Republican for many years, including twice for GWB. No more. McCain is the last straw for me.

There's no sense crying over spillt milk. But indulge me one moment while I spit this bad taste from my mouth.
To be conservative, er Republican, must one necessarily be masochistic? Is there a genetic predisposition in real constitution-believing Americans to feel our place is as the loyal MINORITY opposition (a/k/a the Bob Michel Syndrome) Like a prisoner who wants to stay in jail rather than be freed, have we "been down so long it seems like like up to us"?
The Reagan Revolution was nice - very nice. But the REPUBLICAN Revolution of 1994 was better; it was Stupendously Wonderful! Talk of devolving powers rightly back to the states! Speaker of the House for the first time in 40 YEARS! A nice GOP majority (now there's a biblical analogy!)! But the devil himself was in the White House and in time brought the GOP (and me) back down to earth and apparently the evil air of being hotshots in D.C. caused the GOP to screw up, screw around, and piss away the '94 REVOLUTION! I KNOW we struggle against Big Media, liberal indoctrination in our schools, and other powerful enemies INSIDE America, but how in hell did we manage to get here in such a short time from '94!?!?!?
Suggestion to GOP: Find out what went wrong since '94, kick ourselves in the collective GOP ass (for motivation, not condemnation) and do what worked to bring about the REPUBLICAN Revolution and quit waiting around for a new Reagan (God, I loved that American)! We don't need another pretty face (Gingrich and other leaders did just fine), but a renewed zeal for the Founders and our beloved AMERICAN constitution.
Thanks, for letting me get rid of that.

ROSS H GOT IT RIGHT ! AS A LIFE LONG REPUB I CAN
NOT VOTE FOR MCCAIN ! HE SAID "HE GOT THE MESSAGE", BUT ONCE HE GOT THE NOMINATION ASSURED,
HE'S RIGHT BACK TO HIS OLD IMMIGRATION LINE THAT
MEANS AMNESTY !

Conservatism is opposite of what this country stands for. This country was founded on very LIBERAL principles.

The RIGHT to believe as you choose or not believe in God is as liberal as it gets.

The RIGHT to possess firearms is a liberal idea coming from individuals that did not previously have the right.

Republican politicians talk a good game, but they don't deliver. Abortions will alwys be a political football, they will never vote to outlaw, because if it became outlwed they'd lose a get-out-the-vote issus.

We need true leadership that can ignore the political antics and make this faltering nation's interests priority one!

Frustrated,

Dave S.

The crazy folks who want to say freedom is a liberal idea miss the point that liberals are those who put government over all of us the dole out "freedoms".

Conservatives believe the rights we have are from God as described in the Constitution. Government only exists to protect those rights.

Government by liberals imposes restrictions on individual rights. Limiting individuals is done for the good of society. See how the greater good is improved by restricting smoking, limiting religious displays, limiting the display of the flag, redistributing earnings, providing free low quality health care, social promotion, equality above merit, etc.

What the RNC seem to be missing is they are now losing elections because they alienated their own base. Between the GOP leaderships support for illegal alien amnesty/"reform"...against the clearly expressed will of over 80% of Republicans. Add in John McCain's likely nomination which is not supported by the majority of Republicans. Does no one else remember that many Conservatives (Myself included)threatened to leave the GOP over these exact issues last summer? Well surprise...The GOP has now become the party of big business. Lots of money for ads, only problem is big businesses can't cast votes!

I have a comment. Prepare for civil war. What other choice is there? Sure don't see one in November...

Since 2000 the GOP leadership has been moving further away from their base, now it's only natural that their base is moving away from them. I'm not sure what I would do in a state where McCain might actually win, but living in Maryland I'll be free to vote Libretarian.

The House and Senate leadership need to cut McCain free then go out with their own national platform. He's not going to get them any votes, and he won't provide them any help if he's President.

Why does the Big Business wing of the GOP refuse to understand that they will not win elections without the grassroots Conservative core voters? Seventy six percent of Americans are against illegal alien amnesty, yet McCain embraces it. As a lifetime Republican voter who cast his first vote for Ronald Reagan and has voted Republican in every election since, I do not say this lightly, I Will NOT vote for McCain, and will do my best to convince others to do the same!

The RNC is helping to make a third party run an actual possibility, maybe thats what we really need as a Country a real choice! NO Republocrats Anymore!

"The Change You Deserve" (New Republican slogan ripped off from makers of Effexor XR)

CLINICAL TRIALS HAVE SHOWN:

The new and improved Republican Platform Prescription XR for America produces side effects including but not limited to generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, nervousness, yawning, and/or sweating.

Studies have shown a propensity for abnormal vision, impotence, nausea (31%) and constipation (10%).

Also revealed were increased instances of depression, decreased libido, agitation, nightmares, delirium, blurred vision and difficulty focusing.

Known to cause loss of appetite, cold feet, postural hypotension and hemorrhoids (see Bend Over For Bush Syndrome).

Most common side effect is flatulence and political irritability.

Less common side effects include acne and/or pustular rash.

Not a controlled substance and has not been studied in clinical trials regarding potential for abuse.

For further information see Effexor XR for additional warnings.

Consult your family doctor if symptoms persist for more than four years.