An emerging leader for the gang is Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Va., probably the most trusted member of the GOP leadership and the one who looks out for GOP House members.

Some conservative "young guns" in the House who could work with Cantor on a "Gang of Seven, 2.0":

* Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.). Former congressional staffer for his predecessor, Rep. Bill Thomas, and former minority leader in California's state legislature. Aggressive, equipped with a non-stop motor, he's established himself as a leader in the House.

* Paul Ryan (R-Wis.). Smartest guy in the room on policy; cares about conservatism both as an intellectual and a political movement.

* Mike Pence (R-Ind.). Gifted communicator with a Reaganesque quality and a strong following in the evangelical and conservative communities. He seems ready to take on the status quo every day.

* Shelly Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). An all-around talent - smart, very capable - she's an incredibly hard worker who's held a tough district through some difficult elections.

* Duncan Hunter - The Son (R-Calif.). A veteran who served two tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan, he is poised to take up his father's mantle as an expert on national security issues.

* Tom Rooney (R-Fla.). Scion of the Pittsburgh Steelers family; a veteran who taught at West Point, and a young up-and-comer on national security.

These talented legislators blend newsness and experience, and they are the future of what the Republican Party should look like.

It's going to be a while before Republicans find themselves in the Capitol's majority suites again.

Yet if they begin with the small battles - not just exposing corruption but using House rules to make the minority voice heard; standing firm on not misspending the stimulus package and on cutting taxes to stimulate growth - they can recreate a healthy GOP brand.