Richmond, November 1, 2009

          (I changed the title on Nov 6)
          One year and one week, so the timing is right.
          Right now...for you see, I had a revelation about the Scozzafava retreat in New York.

          I know what I am about to suggest here could only occur if Michael Steele were to be wakened tonight by a slight tugging at his toe, to look up and behold his eponym, St Michael, in full armor, standing at the end of his bed.
         Only that way would Steele fully understand just how close to the precipice this great republic is standing, teetering in fact, and that in all logic, as even Homer Simpson knows, being a galley scrub on a seaworthy garbage scow is preferable to being the highest paid executive on a ship listing heavily to the left, about to take on its first big gulp of sea water.
          St Michael's mere presence would also remind Mike of the Source of this wonderful gift called Liberty, that America is indeed a gift, and, after having tried to protect the gift with creations of our own making, it might be prudent to turn back to the Grantor for guidance and courage. After all, sometimes we are measured by how we choose to go out, and indeed, if we do finally go out, watching the flame flicker, then snuffed, it will be on the High Road, closer to the Grantor, and further away from all the naysayers who have brought us to this edge of the cliff.
          And St Michael, merely by his raiment, shield and breastplate and sword, will let Michael know not only what needs to be done, but how.

          Then, Michael Steele will arise, go down to the office and call a meeting of his council. He will poll them, one by one, on no more than four simple questions, none of which speaks to the future of the Republican Party or a big tent. The questions will be "American" and constitutional in nature. After they answer, he will close the meeting and tell them to ask those same questions of the staff, and come back to him by the end of the day with their written answers.
          He will then email or fax to each state party headquarters those four questions, asking them to do the same thing.
          After two days he will write back to the state organizations with new orders, and a list. Then he will call in his people, and speak with them, one by one...and dismiss most of them. (My guess most will give answers Michael was not looking for.)
          He will then sit at his desk and make out a list of replacements. This may require some calling around, as by now, he may no longer know that many Gideon's first hand.
          Michael will then draft by hand a new manifesto of the Republican Party based on those four questions, and upon completion will sit back in amazement as it will be less long than Mr Lincoln's address at Gettysburg.
          He will then call a press conference and announce it to the nation, and will walk away shaking his head in self-wonderment, that after all these years of instincts to the contrary, that so much could be said when said with so little verbage...the right way. He will simply say, this is our banner, and around it we will gather and from it we will not retreat. He will not give a single heads up...to McCain, Boehner, McConnell, so that by the time they can organize a counter-revolt at the RNC, the national results will already be in...and like Doug Hoffman, the people will have spoken louder than the Club.
          He will then tell state and district chairmen they are to come up with plans...a One Year Plan, a Three Year Plan, and a 20 year plan to begin taking back their district, one voter at a time, based on the four themes emblazoned on that banner. No matter that they are in a safe district in Oklahoma, or the sole black Republican in Clyburn's district in South Carolina. No matter how gerrymandered, no matter how corrupt, they will have a plan that fits their district...based on that banner.
         
          These things Michael Steele will do because he knew to do so, simply because he is the namesake for an Archangel who decided to visit him personally one night.
          Other things, and these are my suggestions, include the creation of an ad hoc "unnamed council" of real Americans and observers and analysts outside the Beltway who can offer perspectives, especially about that special "Americanism" he suddenty saw revealed that night. Thomas Sowell, Rush Limbaugh and Charles Krauthammer come to mind. And Sara Palin, Newt, but only so log as they will leave their national ambitions at the door, although I seriously believe Newt would be a security risk for this sort of stealth. If not, keep them like the rest of us, in the dark. Run this council at secret locations, or just by video-com, but make it the most secret meetings this side of the Bat Cave. That drives the Enemy crazy, and and makes us out here feel secure in knowing Michael finally understands the real stakes in this, and the real game afoot.
           Do these things, and the sound of people rushing to get their hat and coat, will drown out all the caterwauling by the chattering classes.
           Let the grand gesture be a spine as stiff as an oak, a hand as steady as a surgeon, and a heart as grateful as a new mother.
VB