Mr. Blankley is correct in casting  conservativism in the USA at the precipice of deterioration into a closed loop society of debate and philosophical rhetoric that has no entrenched place in national politics.

If conservatism is an ideal and allegiance that did not resonate with the American people this year, then the communication of principle, values and traditions was not effective, nor consistent or nor very convincing.

We find ourselves here in part due to the standard bearer chosen by Republicans, who since the 1994 'revolution' have failed conservatism miserably.  We find ourselves here because of a misguided yet unwavering policy set driven forth by the Bush/Cheney administration with no regard to sustaining conservatism in the forefront of the American mind.  For what the last eight years has wrought in terms of conservatism's appeal to younger generations and newer immigrants is a regression into an isolated state from which only a dynamic and truly new direction must be forged if conservatism is to once again imbed itself into the national psyche.

Mr. Obama, like Mr. Clinton before him, has and will continue to move the nation's political and social tendencies further to the left.  The drum corps for this movement is led by Ms. Pelosi, who embodies the disregard of history, the abandonment of purpose and heritage, the divisive tactics and agenda that are now the hallmark of the (extreme) Democrat.  History, purpose, heritage, unity, what it means to be American, has all been cast aside in a rush to appease and appeal to extra-national pressures and interests that are secular and radical at the same time.

I believe Mr. Obama will have a rude awakening come Inauguration Day.  I bear him no ill, as he will be our president and Americans have to stand behind their president, regardless of who he is, in this world where every nation, it seems, harbors some anti-American sentiment, some angerous enough to act on that sentiment.  I hope the rude awakening moves Obama's administration to the center.  That is a grand hope.  A grander hope is that the unmitigated disaster of our current Congress and the abysmal leadership it displays is expediently and forcefully excommunicated in 2010, replaced by Americans who actually love their nation, flaws and all, who are willing to run for office to represent their neighbors and friends, not the lobbyist with the fattest check.  

Change, as Mr. Obama's blocking fullback is now known, must come in the form of fundraising and donation legislation that puts everyone on the same playing field without easy loopholes to exploit; a respect for disagreement without a vitriolic cry for partisan invective and hate mongering; a foreign policy theme that puts America, not the world or allies or enemies, first;  a domestic policy theme that rewards hard work and penalizes apathy, sloth and greed; an unprecedented investment in American business and American workers, beginning with a mandated overhaul of the tax code within Obama's first (and likely last) term; and finally, a CHANGE in the way Americans view themselves, not as red vs. blue, caucasian vs. minority, rich vs. poor (an admittedly difficult difference to overcome) but as members of a holistic society that finds more in common with one another than in contrast and finds a definition of Americanism (and American conservatism) that is appealing, uniting and meaningful.  

The next great 'leader' of American conservatism has to reach EVERYONE in some meaningful, inspirational and lasting way, not only as a catalyst for change but as a proselytizer of conservative values who ties those values clearly and permanently to a productive and purposeful way of living life.  What Americans should realize through an understanding and adoption of conservatism is that the nation's well being and strength and future all benefit when the individual is empowered with a living construct that supports and guides a positive and giving life.  The whole of society gains when individuals within the society are better equipped with such a construct of values and morals, and therefore less reliant on the government or the society at large.

Mr. Blankely speaks of the dangers conservatism may face if it is not more clearly defined and communicated to the voting public.  There are grave consequences for the secular and state-dependent themes that will mark the Obama presidency.  Those consequences may lead to another violent swing right that could net Americans a president with drastic and similarly flawed policies seen in the George W. Bush presidency.  Americans can't afford to fluctuate so extremely with respect to the ideologies and philosophical make-up of their presidential candidates.  Conservatism must lead all Americans to a central, common ground, one based on our history and values, our beliefs and faith, our view of the world and our role in that world.  America is the Great Experiment, and it is seeing another episode of temporary failure that must be addressed and resolved in short order.  That solution can be found in true conservatism.  The path our nation follows must be one that is compelling and blazed by a core set of values that most Americans find familiar and worthy.  That sense of purpose, instilled in each American, will unite us in a way and direction that harkens back to our storied beginnings, where humble men worked their land, loved their families, and loved their country.  There is not much more to that formula for conservatism's next champion:  Take America Back To Its Roots and make our beginnings new again.