Can the GOP be Saved?

Over the years, I've read tons of pieces by people disgusted at the current state of the GOP and conservatism in general. But after we cry for what has been lost, what do we do then?

After reading Chris Currey's very moving post about how the GOP has left him coupled with reports that blogger Erick Erickson is targeting Utah Senator Bob Bennett for not being a "real" Republican, I was left with a feeling of hopelessness.  Can this party be saved?  Is the GOP sinking into irrelevance?

But then, my questions of despair gave way to another question: a question that comes from defiance more than despair.  So, what do we do?

Over the years, I've read tons of blogposts by people who are disgusted at the current state of the GOP and conservatism in general.  All of those voices, from both moderates and conservatives, are voices that need to be heard.  They are mourning the passing of something that was very important to them.

While some like Currey, write in a mournful tone, others are angry.  Conservatives like Andrew Sullivan and Bruce Bartlett write with justified anger at the state of conservatism in America.  Again, it makes sense to be angry.  When you have devoted yourself to a cause that ends up going off the rails, one can feel betrayed.

But after we cry for what has been lost, after we rage against what has changed, what do we do then?  Do we allow the GOP and conservatism to sink into the mire?  Or do we seek a new vision for Republicans?

What has not been heard from GOP dissidents (myself included) is a way forward.  If this is the end of the Republican Party and conservatism in America, then there need be no new ideas.  We can just continue with our sad ceremony.  But if we think there might be a future for the GOP and if we believe -- to borrow a hackneyed phrase from a certain presidential candidate – that we are the ones we've been waiting for, then we as the disaffected misfits, must dream a new vision of the GOP and then get to work at making that dream come true.

I would love to hear stories from folks who have dreams on how to make the GOP a party that is interested in governing again, and not politics.  I want to see people with plans to make the GOP more inclusive of gays and minorities.  I want to see conservatives have some hope again.

So, what is the vision?  Who is willing to dream new dreams?  Who is willing to build a new GOP that is better than the one we have now?

I'm waiting...