[Hugh the Scot]

The reason for the “circular firing squad” effect, is the same as the reason that “tweaking” the conservative platform, or embracing illegal immigrants and gays is destined for failure. It does not matter who the candidate is, or whether his name is Bush, or her name is Palin. What matters, and what the GOP keeps getting wrong, is the IDEAS. Our plan is better because it works better, for everyone. If that isn't true... If we can't find candidates that believe and are capable of communicating this message, then we lost before the primaries were even complete, and deservedly so. Principle and truth are the only issues that matter. Not race, or ethnicity, or social status, or any perceived “electability” being sold by the press. Either we adhere to principles that are actually good for the nation, or we fail. Let's leave the personality cults to the liberals and the media, and focus on principles that work.

[dfwgator]

I believe it will take a leader with charisma and political savvy, just having the right ideas is not enough.

Certainly everyone who supported Reagan didn’t agree with every one of his ideas, they may have been diametrically opposed to some of them....but what they saw in him was a great leader and could articulate those things that were most important to them.