A Message from Rob Portman

The Republican Party's revival starts with adherence to our core principles of fiscal conservatism, smaller government, family values and personal responsibility. And not just in how we campaign, but in how we govern.

However, this is only a starting point. The key is to develop and communicate compelling policy solutions consistent with these principles. America seeks answers to the problems we face, and Republicans will be rewarded by providing them.

There is an understandable nostalgia among Republicans for Ronald Reagan. But two keys to his success are sometimes overlooked.

First, he used these beliefs to fashion innovative solutions to the challenges of his time, including the Cold War, a dysfunctional welfare system, stagflation from the Carter years and increased levels of violent crime.

Second, he communicated his policies in a way that resonated with Americans.

We must do the same thing.

This begins with forging innovative solutions, particularly to domestic challenges like rising health costs, global competition, substandard education, stagnant middle-class wages, dependence on foreign oil, environmental worries and the unsustainable growth of entitlement programs.

Instead of larger government and more bureaucracy, Republicans must offer solutions that use market forces and reward innovation and personal responsibility. Then we must put more effort and resources into communicating our policies. This includes better use of modern technologies, an area where the Obama campaign broke new ground.

In 2006, election losses were a wake-up call not heard. We should listen to the hunger for change in last week's results and offer ideas that can result in a Republican renaissance.

Rob Portman, a former congressman from Ohio, served as director of the Office of Management and Budget under President Bush.