First of all, the time to write the party platform is now, not during convention week. The Reps need to fully articulate positions on the twenty or so "planks" today and then be true to their word. But first, everyone needs to totally know what "the word" is.

Second, Waffling on issues and constant counter-punching the current administration on issues du jour is cry-baby politics. If the Reps just work toward fulfilling the platform without hysteria, they show strength, character and leadership.

Third, don't focus on the 2012 or 2016 presidential election. Tip O'Neill (Former US Congressman and Speaker of the House) aptly stated that "all politics are local." The Reps would do wise to recognize the logic in that statement and focus on the 2010 and 2012 House and Senate elections. The party that controls Congress controls the purse strings, which bills get voted on, and the local press. Without a strong local foundation, you can't gain a viable high perch.

This isn't rocket science. It's a rare time when a party's candidate is elected president without that party holding a Congressional majority. The only time I can remember (though there may have been others in the last 60 years) is Pres. Clinton, and Pres. Bush's "Read my lips, no new taxes" caused a voter backlash - you don't renege on tax promises, especially demonstrative ones!

One last thought - when there are viable third-party candidates (as Mr. Perot and Mr. Anderson proved there could be), they can garner a sufficient popular vote total to change the election. Mr. Perot and Mr. Anderson both collected predominately right-of-center intellectual voters which, according to many, the majority should have gone to the Reps. As example of the impact, Pres. Clinton won the presidency with the same popular vote quantum that Mr. Tsongas had and still lost decisively. It can happen again.

So, the Reps either "go local" with substance, or buy a lot of beer to cry in. It will be interesting to see which it will be.