Friday was fun.

Laura Ingraham kept asking that Conservatives ask themselves what they did wrong in the Iowa primary.

Oohh, oohh, I know!

DROP THE "I" WORD.

For near 4 years, the illegal immigration issue has dominated the conservative talk shows and columns.  Political pundits from Ingraham to Hewitt to Rush INSISTED that this was the BIG issue.

Santorium believed them.

Hayworth believed them.

Congress believed them.

Tancredo believed them.

And finally, geez, even Romney believed them.

And ah, where is Santorium, Hayworth, Tancredo, the GOP Congress...and Romney in Iowa?

Hunter had his not yet finished 14 year old fence as his "border control" credentials.

Tancredo backed Romney.

And where was that OVERWHELMING majority that tanked the bill that was going to fine employers who hired illegals, card and identify them, and fund the fence on the southern border?

They may have been loud.

They may have had the time and energy to speed dial and blitz email the media and their representatives...but they had zip power to deliver victories for those that believed that the illegal immigration issue was as important as say...gas prices, employment, and the war on terror.

They couldn't compete with Oprah or church going, bible thumping pro-lifers who voted for an ex-preacher who didn't want to penalize children for the "sins" of their illegal parents.

Ingraham, Hewitt, and the rest of the so called political experts...do you REALLY want to know what went wrong?

You are "preaching" to the choir...your readers and listeners mostly agree with you...in fact, I will go as far as to say that I believe that many of "your opinions" are shaped by the mood and opinions of your audience.  This makes perfect business sense.  But like the star that surrounds himself/herself with fans/staff, you cannot afford to believe the hype.

1- The illegal immigration issue should be avoided period.  It is a loser because like it or not, America is a nation of immigrants and many are offended by the vitriolic rhetoric that is being used when this issue comes up.  YOU may hear tales of illegals breaking laws and sucking up social funds, but the rest of voting America's experience with illegals are people desperate to work and send money home.  They work hours and do jobs most Americans find beneath them and will gratefully accept whatever pay they can get.  This makes them hugely attracted to both employers and the public needing baby sitters and yard men.

2- Most Americans are NOT in the best of health, well off, or well educated.  They like people who know what a battle it is to lose weight, who didn't get full scholarships to ivy league schools. Drop questions to listerners like...what do you do for a living or what is your educational background.  The wisest people are waiting tables and driving trucks. Try asking "what makes you excited about Huckabee/McCain/Ron Paul?

3- The discussion among the GOP candidates should about out doing each other on plans and ideas and criticisms should be directed toward the Democrats and their unrealistic and many times, dangerous ideas.

4- The focus should be on what UNITES the party, not on what divides them.  And the first person who uses words like "real conservative" and "the party of Reagan" should be reminded that none of the presidential candidates are running for commander and chief of Reagan Conservatives...they are running for leader of ALL Americans, many of which do NOT HOLD conservatives ideals or beliefs.

5- Somewhere along the line, the realization that the continuation of Bush Bashing is like an employee that continues to bad mouth his company--and then wonders why no one wants to buy what their company is selling--and why they are in danger of losing their jobs.

Want a GOP congress?  Want to win the WOT?  Want to have constitutionalist judges?

Then try reminding the public that THIS Republican president and his policies has kept this nation safe for near 8 years...that this nation recovered from a 9/11 and dot com crash and went on to have one of the best economies in near 50 years.

Try reminding them about the sanity in the courts with Alito and Roberts.

Try reminding them about the ghost towns of Disney and Vegas and the fear of flying.

And flags that flew and people in uniform that were heroes again.

Remind them when God was thanked and the ACLU told to respect the rights of the other 80% Christian worshiping citizens.

Remind them of how great it felt to be an American and do all those sappy, John Wayne things like look up to parents and teachers and the generation who fought Hitler.

Tell them that the party of Republicans offer not just hope for a wonderful future but a gratitude for a past that was glorious in it's goodness.