Pretending that Gov Palin is presidential material is just delusional and we need more conservatives like Scarborough speaking candidly. Nobody is challenging her right or the value of her contributions as a pundit, but can we stop with the Sean Hannity love affair with the idea of a Palin presidency? Conservatives need to take back the executive branch in 2012 and make the hard decisions necessary to restore this country’s financial order. If we are going to do that, we need a little more Scarborough and a little less Palin.

The best example of the type of conservative thinker we need is Joe Scarborough. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to articulate conservative views and to engage both sides in constructive dialogue. Even rarer to find, he has been intellectually consistent. Joe was conservative in 1994 when it was cool and he was elected to Congress. Joe was conservative in 2004 when it wasn’t cool to criticize the big spending GOP. Joe is conservative now in 2010 and is still talking about a cautious foreign policy, sustainable domestic spending, and calmer rhetoric. His ideas about our politicians’ lack of restraint in these three areas should be the playbook for how we articulate conservative views and sell them to the American people.

12 Reasons Joe Scarborough should run in 2012. Joe understands conservatism is a belief in a cautious foreign policy, conserving our resources, encouraging entrepreneurship, and a sustainable budget. His politics and style make him a great candidate for 2012 and provide a path forward for the movement.

Joe Scarborough’s political philosophy and his brand of conservatism won in 2009 and will continue to win in 2010 and beyond. Focusing on solutions to the big problems and taking a federalist view on social matters wins. Conservatism means conserving our resources, a cautious foreign policy, and a sustainable budget. These are principles Scarborough discusses everyday on Morning Joe. Conservatives would be wise to listen up.

The game plan for conservatives must revolve around action. Winning elections isn’t just about having the best ideas, it's about convincing the electorate that you can implement the best ideas. The RGA panel and Joe Scarborough provide great examples of the path forward. Action will restore the public’s trust in the ability of conservatives to implement change. Conservatism communicated, debated, and implemented, sells itself and should be the game plan.

Erick Erickson, editor of RedState, is on the radio today with Joe Scarborough at 11:45am

Listen Live http://bit.ly/3V9DU2

Two paths forward have emerged for Republicans and they are characterized by the politically similar, Glenn Beck and Joe Scarborough. Beck’s style has the ability to win over red states but that alone isn't enough to win national elections. Scarborough has the voting record to win over red states and his policy focus can appeal to moderate blue and red states as well. This practical application of conservative principles represents the best chance for the revitalization of the movement.