Republicans - If we lose...

[NOVA Green]

Not a Republican commenting so apologies if I'm "butting in" here (granted I've only been a registered Dem for a few months out of years of voting history).

Personally I liked Paul (anti-Iraq, libertarian on personal freedoms) and Huckabee (economic populist) during the '08 Republican primaries.

If McCain loses this year, strategically I think Republicans will have to "reinvent" their economic message at the national level, and downplay the social conservative message (although there are still ways of reassuring the base without turning off social moderates). This will require developing innovative means of dealing with issues like health care and education, that transcend the traditional "let the markets sort it out" approach that most voters are rejecting. This will also require addressing chronic economic weaknesses (manufacturing job losses to overseas competition, problems with social security funding, etc...) that provide real solutions, without undermining some of the core free-market principles of the party.

This is no longer the America of the 1980s, and the population sees a role for the government in solving some of these problems, although what role that should be is open for serious debate....

If the current economic climate remains relatively stagnant over the next four years it will be imperative that whomever the Republicans select break out of the traditional role of blaming government for all of the problems, and offering the "invisible hand of the market" for all of the solutions. I believe this can be done without destroying many of the major tenets of the modern Republican party.

Romney may be the candidate that could achieve that, since he already has extremely high name recognition and has a record of governing as a Republican in a traditionally blue state. There are many other options as well, although if you're running against an incumbent, it might be best to go with a candidate with high name recognition that could get into the game right off the bat.

[NOVA Green]

In the event that the economy were to go down the tubes and the Democratic party were responsible to a large extent, I would certainly considering voting for a moderate Republican that offered some comprehensive solutions to major structural problems that transcend political party.

The key is that the Republican party candidate would have to actually offer solutions that help deal with systemic issues. I do not believe that the government is the only solution, and I think that there are many areas where business can contribute without completely destroying the social security nets of the New Deal.

Oregon has a history of moderate Republicans, including Mark Hatfield, and I for one would be willing to accept a Republican candidate for President that actually had the balls to lead and propose innovative solutions to pressing issues, rather than rely on the rhetoric of the '80s and Reagan revolution that is in danger of driving the party to oblivion in much of the country.

I believe that this can happen without destroying the base, and there is a reason that Huck had broad appeal in certain regions, beyond the stereotypical "Christian Conservative" label.

I'm not saying he is the ideal candidate, but too few Reps seem to actually care about those who are working hard every day and suffering under adverse economic conditions.