Become the party known for promoting scientific research and other types of discretionary spending, especially defense, like we were during the 1950s. Of course this represents a complete 180 from what the GOP is currently doing, but we should be able to assuage Tea Party elements if we promise to call for real entitlement reform if discretionary spending is allowed to grow at roughly the same rate as, or slightly faster than, GDP growth. Northern Virginia's economic fate is so intricately tied to federal discretionary spending that voters there are going to support the party that supports government largess. The GOP just needs to put a nice technocratic, Military-Industrial complex twist on it to contrast against the Democrats' "welfare state" style of big government. Combine this with a strong law-and-order push in order to further swing suburban voters. Not only will this help in NOVA, but also other highly-educated, wealthy places like the Research Triangle in NC, the I-35 corridor, and the Pacific Northwest.
Moderate ourselves and become more libertarian on social issues. Change our position on gay marriage and drug legalization into one of "state's rights". Other than that, what was detailed above should also work pretty well in NV/CO as there are a lot of military/research workers out West.
Hmmm...a law and order approach may be the best in the Sunshine State. The retirees are actually Republican-voting, we just need something to convince all those suburban families in Vero Beach, Kissimmee, and Winter Park to start voting for us >80%. Stressing the GOP's commitment to safety and how the the Democrats are "soft on crime" may strike a tone there.
If we are able to pull-off what I say about Virginia (i.e., big government Republicanism), I think that plays quite well in places like NJ, NH, OR, and WA. That's where I'm looking for the GOP to expand.
