I like some of the things President Obama has accomplished so far. But, being a fiscal conservative and a social moderate, there's a whole lot I don't like, as well. While I'm in disagreement with some of his policies, he's the first President in a long time that seems to be acting consistent with his campaign promises. That part is refreshing, at least.

But railing and ranting on the performance of the administration so far doesn't get us where people may want to be. Somehow, methinks, our discourse needs to address what the major campaign planks, the real core values, should be for GOP Congressional candidates in the mid-term elections and for the GOP candidate that will attempt to turn out President Obama after one term.

At this point, the GOP hasn't come close to getting their act together. Big tent, small tent, litmus on religious issues, real fiscal conservatism, foreign policy, homeland security, and on and on? Other than "No, we don't like what the Obama administration is doing", the GOP hasn't come up with many understandable and consistently communicated alternatives. Or even more disturbingly, a list of things that are fundamental for what the party stands for. From what I can see, the Republican Party appears to be badly broken and no one's very active in fixing it.

At the risk of starting the 2012 Presidential Campaign waaay too early, are there any Republican candidates that might make sense? Are there any that can be relied on to actually govern based on their campaign promises, if elected? Are there any who might conduct a positive and informative campaign and avoid the advice of "attack dog" campaign advisors?

If faced with the choice of a candidate and a party with no plan, no strategy, a few disconnected and ideology-based core values and who no one can reasonably project into the role of most powerful leader in the free world, it might be hard to vote against the incumbent, who does have a strategy and is getting things done--even though many of us don't agree with all the steps he's taken so far.

I hope and pray we have some real choices in 2010 and 2012.