To expect candidates to be in lockstep on every big issue suggests a lack of political independence on their part. And it's the so-called "independent" swing voter the GOP must somehow persuade anew.

To me the key issue is simple enough, although it will need a new spin. Because of our crazy system of withholding income from paychecks, many Americans don't know how much they pay in federal taxes. Some even respond in surveys that they didn't pay taxes at all, but instead "got money back from the government" in the form of refunds.

Since it is impossible to educate an entire nation on the impact of the income tax itself, why not focus on the thing everyone openly hates -- having to decipher tax forms, or having to pay someone else to?

The Fair Tax can be effectively explained and defended. More, it could win immediate and widespread support with most Americans if it were instead packaged as the "Elimination of the U.S. Tax Return Act of 2012."

Conservatives love the Fair Tax idea already. But moderates and independent voters aren't as sure how it would benefit them. So reformers should promise two things: First, taxpayers will never have to fill out tax returns again. Second, their taxes won't increase, and will likely decline.

Americans love comfort and convenience. Sell tax reform, and they will latch on to it.

As for the lawyers, accountants and IRS employees who might lose out, well, what's one more bailout if it means that we end this archaic and Byzantine system of taxation?

Republicans, wake up! Rally around one simple but essential idea, and then let your candidates be free to take whatever sides they wish on other issues. To gather the strength needed to prosecute a full roster of political reform, conservatives must first take control of some one essential principle. The end of tax returns would be a huge first step.