Since Tuesday's disaster, I've heard a lot of complaining. Hopeless or enraged, Republicans are proclaiming the end of all things--and everyone's got their favorite scapegoats.

Well, I strongly disagree with them--all of them. Let me clear up a few misconceptions:

1. We do not lack effort or enthusiasm. We lack a central vision; one that unites us and draws others.

2. We are not too Conservative or too Moderate. We are too divided.

3. There are not too few of us. There are too few who know they are us.

4. Our message is not terrible. It's just terribly inconsistent.
 
5. The problem is not the Republicans or Libertarians or Tea Party or Christian Right or Constitution Party. It's the utter lack of appreciation they have for one another.

6. The problem is not the Leftist Supreme Court. It's the Leftist electorate that produced it.

7. The problem is not shifting demographics. It's our lack of a central vision that appeals to all demographics.

8. The answer is neither to keep the same leaders nor get new ones, but rather to restore the movement they're trying to lead.

9. The problem is not our candidates failing to reach voters. It's our failure to teach voters.

Put simply, the current GOP base is divided, untrained, unfocused, unsure, unstrategic, and out of ideas. They feel lost; helpless amidst a mob of voters trampling them underfoot. They feel there's nowhere left to turn.

Are they right?

Believe me when I say this: Our party isn't finished. It's only finished if we continue on the same path. Furthermore, it was never going to survive on this path, and I'm surprised it lasted this long.

So might I suggest an exit ramp? Before abandoning this vehicle called "The GOP," can we try driving it in a new direction? Just once?

Here's my promise: If we exit onto a better path, the GOP will come roaring back in 2014. Of this I have no doubt--none at all. Over the next couple months, I plan to offer a central vision (which I've shared before) that unites us and draws others. I'm also offering a new strategy; one that stops the present trend and builds a much better base going forward. All of this will be foundational and trustworthy; no gimmicks, no marketing schemes, no power plays. Just real Conservatism applied in today's culture.

And all I ask is that Conservatives hear me out. That's it. 
 
The choice is ours. We can faint or flourish. We can whine or shine. Because as hopeless as everything may seem in the aftermath of Tuesday's slaughter, let me tell you what the GOP is not: A LOST CAUSE.

--Andy

I believe Mitt Romney will win this Tuesday.  We’ve all worked so hard, and I’m confident it will happen.
 
But maybe not.  This is a close election, after all.
 
Up until recently, I shared the opinion of many Republicans,  which was, “If we lose this election, all hope is lost.  Looking at the deficit or the Supreme Court or Obamacare or our borders, etc., etc., the damage of another Obama term will put our nation beyond repair.  This is do or die time—our last hope.”  These feelings came from observing two truths:  One, Obama would unleash tremendous harm with a 2nd term, and two, shifting demographics are eliminating the GOP.
 
So, despair was setting in.
 
But something has changed, and I can now make the following bold prediction:
 
If the Republican Party makes simple changes in 2013, this Tuesday will be the weakest GOP performance we will see for at least a decade. I absolutely guarantee it.

Why do I say this? Simple:  The only reason we Republicans see doom and gloom beyond Tuesday is because we think we’re doing the best we can, and it’s barely working.  Despite all our best efforts, we can’t reach many young people or minorities, and we’re defenseless against the dominant press, academia, and entertainment industries. It just seems like we’re outgunned—helpless, against the rising tide of a modern America moving away from our beliefs.
 
Hear me now:  OUR EFFORT HAS BEEN TERRIFIC, BUT OUR STRATEGY HAS BEEN WOEFULLY MISGUIDED.  I really mean this.  Detailing the errors would take too long here, but suffice it to say, my  beloved GOP has made major mistakes in virtually every area—not just in this election (which is going better than ’08), but for the past couple decades.  I’ll just mention a few:
 
1. We’ve failed to rally all Conservatives around a central theme.  Thus, Conservatism is now more divided than ever.  This is easily fixed, with a theme that is universally embraced by Conservatives, while allowing for different expressions and beliefs.
 
2. We’ve failed to teach the various branches of Conservatism (Republicans, Tea Partiers, Libertarians, Constitutionalists, Christian Right, etc.) why the other branches are valuable.  Instead, we’ve allowed a truly  UN-conservative idea to creep in, which states, “I only value you insofar as you agree with me.”  This idea is pure liberalism—belonging in a leftist college classroom, not the Conservative Movement—and it’s easier to remove than many think.
 
3. Our messaging has been wildly off-target. Put simply, we’ve been needlessly avoiding key points offered by our opponents, while not crafting our views in ways that are appreciated by young people and independents. 
Again, this is easily fixed.
 
4. We’ve engaged in power plays, not EMpower plays.  More liberalism; more foolishness.
 
5. Worst of all, we’ve put the cart in front of the horse by forcing hardline candidates before changing the societal landscape that must elect them.  I’ll be teaching a seminar called “18-6,” where this process is reversed, and our principles gain much greater acceptance and success.
 
Please understand, I don’t say this to cast stones from the sidelines, but rather to give hope.  After all, if we lose (or win more narrowly) while doing everything right, then we can’t win long term.  But if we struggle because of a faulty strategy, then changing that strategy can lead to a brighter tomorrow.  
  
Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen a hunger among Conservatives for that brighter tomorrow. They’re tired of the divisions; weary of the circular firing squad.  For the first time in my memory, Conservatives of every stripe are opening up to the possibility of unity without conformity, and effective outreach without  compromise.  They are seeing how changing demographics only hurt us if we address those groups on the Democrats’ terms (which we’ve been doing), rather than re-setting the terms altogether.
 
Conservatives are starting to get it—and more importantly, they’re enjoying it.  
 
So once more, here is my bold prediction:
 
If the Republican Party makes simple changes in 2013, this Tuesday will be the weakest GOP performance we will see for at least a decade. I absolutely guarantee it.
 
Enjoy this Tuesday night. You’ve all earned it!  And I pray we all see a Romney/Ryan presidency!
 
But whatever happens, please know that BETTER DAYS ARE COMING. 

Like many Americans, I am donating to the recovery efforts for "Perfect Storm" Sandy, and I recommend we all give what we can.  I also salute the actions of both presidential candidates, as each has performed well in his
position under the circumstances.  Their example, along with our united response, can bring hope to the Northeast.

Some estimate the damage to be around $25 Billion, though this number will likely rise.  But let's look at that amount, shall we?  Let's get some perspective:

For the past 4 years, $25 Billion is roughly how much this Administration has added to our National Debt.....every week.  Yes, you read that correctly.  If a new "Sandy" were to pummel America's shores every week for 4 years, this would equal the fiscal burden President Obama has placed on America's children--on their future.

$25 Billion per week. Robbing upcoming generations, this Administration charges today's supposed "recovery" on our kids' credit cards, all while convincing young voters we're "investing" on their behalf.

 Just look at the Northeast.  Imagine the long road we face in rebuilding those proud cities; and more importantly, the livelihoods of all who survived.  And then, look forward.  Look ahead to Americans working several months per year just to pay down a debt inflicted on them "for their benefit."  Think of the hopelessness.  Think of the anger.

Better yet, don't look forward at all.  Look eastward.....to Greece.  Rioting in the streets, bricks hurling through shop windows, cars on fire, young people raging against the very measures needed to save them--this
future awaits America's children.

Seen enough?  Then find some voters, and tell them how the financial damage of Sandy is already hitting America every week.  Tell them about Hurricane Obama, and what he's costing their children.  Just tell them.

And while doing that good deed, do another:  Help the victims of Sandy.  Remember, whether facing a natural disaster or a weekly fiscal one, we're all in this together.