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While there have been some very focused Pubbie message-framers in the tradition of the late Lee Atwater, it's the weak-kneed daily responses of our Congress-critters that causes dismay. Not only do they capitulate almost daily on important legislation without much of a fight (today's example: restoration of the PBS budget cuts!) but they usually lie down without a fight when attacked. They're doing a little better in recent years but the fumbled response to Hillary's recent hate speech is typical.
One problem is that "our side" doesn't speak with a single voice like the Rats do. We have big and little "L" libertarians, neocons, paleocons, religious conservatives, non religious conservatives, country club conservatives, values conservatives, and people who think they're conservatives but really don't know what conservatism is. A good day on FR will provide a sampling of all the above and maybe other kinds.
Since conservatives don't congregate in mindless ideological swarms like the Rats, we tend to dilute our message and often have silly fights amongst our own. And, frankly, we're not nearly as mean-spirited as the Rats and do our best to act like ladies and gentlemen in public instead of smash-and-grab artists.

Sorry if I have missed your previous posts. There is a lot to read on Freerepublic.

There is much truth in your comments. I would add, that we have to overcome the inertia of decades of timidity in the face of a hostile media. While conservatives tend to be more individualistic than leftists, the left also has a large number of factions, perhaps more than we do, because their principle philosophy, socialism, has been discredited, while the conservative philosophy of limited government and individual rights has been proved correct in the test of harsh reality.

I remain cautiously optimistic, while acknowledging that there is much work to be done.

we have to overcome the inertia of decades of timidity in the face of a hostile media. While conservatives tend to be more individualistic than leftists, the left also has a large number of factions, perhaps more than we do

I think it's more important to get over the habit of being in the minority. It's been said often, but Pubbies just don't know how to handle being a majority. The Rat gang is simply better at knife-fight politics. While I don't suggest we lower ourselves to the same level, it's crucial we start acting like the majority party and refuse to allow the Rats and RINOS to impose minority rule as they've done so effectively lately.

My point earlier is that while the Rats have as many factions as us, they're also mindlessly ideological and lack real ethical principles. They're happy to work as a single political entity under the fearsome rubric of the end justifying the means. Whether it's affirmative action, environmental activism, feminism, homosexual "rights," whatever, the Left always reverts to its unifying Marxist "principles" and methods. I have hope but not as much as I did yesterday. At some point we have to close ranks and do real battle.