Republicans can look to the Conservatives in Britain under David Cameron, Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Canada and the recently-elected center-right government of John Key in New Zealand. The party can also look to Sweden and Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt for inspiration, while following the rebuilding efforts of Australian conservatives -- who, like Republicans, suffered heavy losses and lost power to the left.

These are all examples of modernization that should be emulated by the GOP ahead of the 2010 and 2012 elections.

Besides modernizing, the GOP must commit itself to compete nationally.

A party cannot expect to win elections when you automatically cede large chunks of the country to the opposition.

And locally, Michigan Republicans must appeal to everyday people in all 83 counties. As the old adage goes, "All politics are local."

By bringing people together on the core principles eschewed by Ronald Reagan and William F. Buckley, the party can and will find electoral success.