To my Conservative Friends:

As we get the barf-bags ready for Barry’s inauguration and the fawning of the MSM towards him, I have been thinking of the best way for the Republicans to come back strong in the next election cycle. We need young, new voices that are true Conservatives and not afraid to articulate their views…

I know everyone is tauting all the usual names to lead the Republicans back from the brink and start on the road to winning back a majority of the voting country… I believe a majority of the country is conservative… How they vote is another story. As we have seen by the ass-whuppins we have received in 2006 and this past November…

So as we approach the coronation of Barry the Chosen One, I thought it high time I reveal who I think will stand up and grab the Conservative flag for us and lead the party back to the dominance we enjoyed just a few short years ago before our party leaders checked their brass-ones at the Capital door…

I like some of the names we are hearing like Governors Palin, Jindal & Sanford, but I would like to give you a list of lesser-known prospects.

Additionally, supporters of Governors Romney and Huckabee are hoping for their guys to come back and contend, however I think re-tread candidates are not our answer…….

Well, let me just say a few words about some people I considered for the list but did not make my Top 5:

* Sarah Palin - I love Sarah Palin… Absolutely think she is capable of running her state and would have no problem with her running the country. I would vote for her in a NY minute because she is a rock-solid conservative and she is a genuine Star, has a proven track record of getting things done and is a great speaker with the looks of a winner…

However, I believe that app. 55-60% of the country is a bunch of dim-bulbs that have been working with glue too much… The caricature of Sarah has been so tremendous that the perception of her is of someone who is not particulary bright and not capable of running the country… Do I believe that - ABSOLUTELY not!!! But perception in politics is awfully hard to change - Just ask Dan Quayle…

Do I think she could turn it around and become the next leader of our party and win the White House against Barry in 2012? Yes, but I wouldn’t be on it… If I am wrong, I’ll admit it and be one of the happiest conservatives who will work for her campaign…

* Newt Gingrich - I also hear a lot of people mention Newt as a potential Presidential candidate in 2012.. Although I love Newt and think he is probably one of the most intelligent, articulate Conservative voices we have, I think his perception nationally is too tainted for himself to be the candidate of 2012. I see Newt as being the party elder-statesmen and be a Cheney-like VP choice for one of the younger stars mentioned below…

* Governor Marc Sanford (GA) - Is a nice looking candidate but I don’t believe he has the energy or the personality to resonate as a National Political force…

* Governor Bobby Jindal (LA) is another story - This guy is young (37) articulate, conservative and is the true American Dream… This guy can debate with anyone, can handle a crisis and is an all-around good family man…

Do I think this guy will be in the fore-front of the Party in the near future - You Betcha - But Jindal is such a trendy pick, I would like to give you a few names you may not know off the top of your head:

So, here are my TOP 5 picks to lead the new Republican party (A Conservative Party) back to prominence:

No. 5 - Rep. Paul Ryan (WI) - A young, articulate solid conservative in a good swing state. Ryan is recognized by house leadership as a potential to be minority leader soon. He is an up and comer and could develop into a Star in the new Congress… Keep an eye on him.

No. 4 - Rep. Eric Cantor (OH) - His name was bandied about some as a potential VP for McCain, but this guy is the real deal and could become a National Republican voice as the loyal opposition in the minority. He is well-spoken, conservative and comes from the most volatile of swing states - Ohio….

No. 3 Rep. Mike Pence (IN) - Pence has been in the House leadership now for 4 years and is a solid conservative who opposed the bailout (Yeaaaahh!!). He is a good-looking fifty something from a Red swing state that voted for Barry… A solid choice as a potential leader of the future…

No. 2 - GOPAC Chairman Michael Steele - Michael has been talked up a lot as a possible candidate to lead the RNC. He is a frequent talking head on Fox News and is an articulate, conservative black voice that is sorely needed in the party…

He is an excellent debater as he constantly undresses Alan Colmes on H&C. Steele would be one of my faves to lead the party in the next cycle…

No. 1 - Senator John Thune (SD) - Thune came out of nowhere when he narrowly lost his Senate election to Tim Johnson in 2002 to National Republican/Conservative hero when he unseated long-time Senate Minority leader Tom Dashle in 2004. His movie-star good looks and his fabulous oratory skills make him a no-brainer to lead the party for the next election cycle.

Thune is young (47) and is my TOP choice to be the next leader of the Republican party to lead us back from the abyss…

Just my thoughts….

GOP Mike