I am running for chairman of the Michigan Republican Party to restore our party to prominence in this state. I am running to reinvigorate and restore a sense of pride and dedication to a cause much greater than any one of us individually. I am running to return the Michigan Republican Party to a party of conviction, courage, competence and commitment. I am running for chairman to help create an environment in this state where all our nominees for office have the chance to succeed in elections from the court house to the White House.

MRPW: How would you describe yourself politically? Are you a libertarian, paleo-conservative, neo-conservative, etc?

PW: I am a progressive conservative in the tradition of Jack Kemp, Newt Gingrich, JC Watts, John Engler, and Ronald Reagan. My politics have been shaped first and foremost by my grandparents who served our party in a number of key volunteer leadership capacities and by the great men and women with whom I have had the privilege of serving with over 25 years.

I believe we should only have as much government as we need and as much government as we can afford. I believe we must run government in a business-like fashion with as great an emphasis on efficiency as we would demand in the private sector. I believe government should serve the people while demanding personal responsibility and maximizing individual liberty. I believe in community and private sector solutions while providing a helping hand to those who through no fault of their own find themselves in need of assistance.

MRPW: As you know, Michigan Republicans suffered a devastating defeat on November 4. We lost the presidency, lost two seats in Congress, lost more seats in the State House, and lost the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Democrats also picked up several county commissions and even won the prosecutor's office and treasurer's office in Oakland County. In your opinion, what happened?

PW: We got the stuffing beat out of us on Election Day for many reasons. Some strategic. Some tactical. On the grand scale it is clear that our party lost its way. What do we stand for? Smaller government? Not when you examine that tremendous growth of the federal government during our watch. Do voters see us as party of lower taxes and economic growth? Well, even with Republican majorities in the Congress we could not make the Bush tax cuts permanent and our president could barely find time to meet with the Big Three to show concern over the challenges faced by the autos. All the while this administration was slapping tariffs on imported steel causing tremendous problems to our core industries. We have made some mistakes.

Additionally, I know from having been on the campaign trail personally for the past six months that we have done a less than stellar job holding Governor Jennifer Granholm and her Democratic allies responsible for the abysmal state of the Michigan economy. While it is true that the rest of the country is now feeling economic pain, we suffered in a single-state recession due in large part to the inept handling of the state's economy by the Democrats. We have done a less than satisfactory job holding Granholm and the Democrats accountable for this poor performance.

I also know that our ground game can be much more effective. Let's give credit where credit is due. The Democrats beat us on the street. They did a better job ID'ing their voters and getting them to the polls on Election Day. They are better than us today at GOTV. That has to change if we are going to win, particularly in Oakland County.

MRPW: How will Republicans re-take the congressional seats that Gary Peters and Mark Schauer won?

PW: Recruit good candidates. Avoid a difficult primary. Hold these first term incumbents responsible for every move they make. Raise significant sums of money. Put these districts at the top of D.C. radar screens for fundraising purposes. Develop excellent strategies and execute them flawlessly.

However, even before we get a chance to take out these two new Democrat congressmen, we will have a special election in 19th District to replace Mark Schauer in the State Senate. We have a great opportunity to win that contest and we must prepare to fight and win that important election.

MRPW: Did you support Proposal 2 in 2006, the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative?

PW: Yes. I believe, as did Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., that the day will come when people will be judged solely by the content of their character and not the color of their skin.

MRPW: What path should the state party take if it wants to be victorious in 2010 and 2012?

PW: Republicans must take the path consistent with our fundamental values and outlook on life. We have to be the party of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We should take another page out of the Ronald Reagan's playbook. We should again turn our attention to becoming the Shining City on a Hill that our 40th President made so vivid in our minds. He wasn't a bitter, angry man. Ronald Reagan took the path of hope and optimism. And that is the path that I hope Republicans will take again in the upcoming election cycles.

MRPW: Saul Anuzis has transformed the Michigan Republican Party with his grassroots outreach. He has made Facebook, blogging, YouTube, and new technologies a staple of the party's efforts. Is this something you will continue?

PW: Expanding the party's use of technology is among our top priorities. We have made significant strides under Saul's leadership in this regard, but this is no time to pat ourselves on the back. As far as we've come, the Democrats are still setting the pace technologically. I want to see our party become younger, hipper, fast and more agile. In other words, I intend to catch up and blow right past the other guys.

MRPW: As chairman, what would be your main priority?

PW: Winning elections at all levels. That means recruiting quality candidates, training campaign workers and volunteers, providing a solid grassroots infrastructure and building a broader, more diverse membership and finance base. Our party has to get up and move, and move fast. We will focus on the fundamentals. We will work from the community level upward and we make local party organizations important parts of their communities once again.

As Newt Gingrich says, "Real change requires real change." As such, we will operate with a philosophy of "just because that's the way we've always done it doesn't mean that we have to continue to it that way today."

MRPW: Once upon a time, safe Democratic states like New York, California, and even Massachusetts were competitive for Republicans. Is Michigan going this direction? Are Republicans simply becoming a permanent political minority in the Great Lakes?

PW: In a word - no. Republicans have a bright future in Michigan and across the Great Lakes when we offer alternatives that are more relevant to the hopes and dreams of people than Democrats. We have to be strong in our convictions and nimble enough to address real concerns with concrete solutions that will make a positive difference. When we are the party that is seen as "the one that gets thing done" we win.

MRPW: Do you have a favorite for governor in 2010?

PW: Any Republican who can successfully win a gubernatorial primary in 2010 is my favorite for governor. We are blessed with a number of outstanding potential candidates and it would be my pleasure to work with each who should decide to enter the race.

A special word about Dick DeVos. He graciously announced that he would not become a candidate for governor in 2010. I know there are many who very disappointed and sorry to hear that. Dick and Betsy DeVos have played an instrumental and vital role not only in our party, but across the whole spectrum of issues facing Michigan. Our party has benefited greatly from their involvement, as has the entire state. I know that even without a campaign this cycle, the DeVos' will continue to be a major force in our state and in our nation for years to come.

MRPW: What do you read each day in terms of newspapers or blogs?

PW: I read the Detroit News, Gongwer, MIRS, the Drudge Report, RealClear Politics, RightMichigan.com, and MichiganLiberal.com because I always want to know what the other side is thinking.

MRPW: Is the Republican Party broken or do voters simply want a change? Do
you believe the Republican Party is a big tent?

PW: The Republican Party was battered, but not broken. We are down, but far from out. Yes, voters very much wanted change and a study of historical trends indicate that this isn't a recent phenomenon. The political pendulum swings with regularity. Nevertheless, we would be negligent if we didn't recognize that we have room for improvement.

I want more than a Big Tent. I want a Big House. I want a solid structure where people of all races, creeds, colors and religions can find a political home. I want to see us speak to the concerns of young people, single moms, established business people, traditionalists, African-Americans and all minorities, among others. I want to see a Republican Party that speaks to the hopes, dreams and aspirations of all Americans and offers a place where those who share our basic tenets can thrive.

MRPW: Why should readers support you for chairman?

PW: Michigan Republicans should elect me as the next chairman of our party because I am a solid and trustworthy conservative who has the broadest range of experience of any candidate in this field. I have participated successfully in every facet of Republican politics. From volunteer, to precinct delegate, to fundraiser, to county chairman. I have been intimately involved in every facet of campaign politics. From young field staffer, to state-wide campaign manager, to national finance co-chairman. I understand and have worked directly in all political arenas. From city hall, to the county courthouse, to the state capitol and to Congress. I have built businesses from scratch -- creating jobs, meeting payrolls and yes, paying taxes. I know the media and can deliver the message. I am a regular commentator on television and radio in the Detroit market and I bring instant credibility to our need to put a voice to our efforts. I am a proven fundraiser for political causes and know what it takes to fulfill that critical mission. Finally, I believe your readers should cast their ballots for me because I will assemble first-rate talent and every member of this team will give 110 percent every day to the goal of electing Republicans.

MRPW: Again, thanks for doing this interview.