Conservatives should focus their time and attention on continuing to support and help expand the influence of new forms of media. Talk radio and the blogosphere have been extremely effective in getting out the conservative message, but their influence still pales in comparison to that of the mainstream media which exists not only in their “news” shows, but is often found seeping into their entertainment programming as well. As the influence of the new media grows, the less the bias of the old media will matter.
When Dean Barnett said we didn’t “make the sale, and that falls on us,” he could not have been any more right. Taking positive steps to expand the influence of the new media will help us make the sale next time around, but if the product in inferior, we will be in the same boat we were in this time around.
Conservatives need to decide what they expect from their members of Congress, such as to which issues they want attention focused, and then they need to convey that to them. It is hard to “make the sale” when you are trying to sell something you don’t believe to be the best. One way right-leaning bloggers are becoming active in the race for leadership in the House, for example, is by asking those running for positions to detail their plans for the next two years and to make themselves available to answer questions about specific issues and strategies. When those leaders who appear best prepared to work for real reform and to push forward conservative issues are identified, conservatives should do everything possible to support them and to hold their feet to the fire.
The suggestions above are just a few very general elements I propose be part of the new post-2006 election plan for conservatives. In the coming days, as Republicans look forward to the 2008 elections, plans will grow and become more and more specific. This is a start though, and certainly beats descending into a rant about Diebold conspiracy theories while fleeing to Canada.