Saul deserves the accolades he's been amassing from conservative web activists across the country.  He hasn't only lead the Michigan Republican Party through the toughest political environment for righties since Watergate but he's done it with the sort of dignity, class and character that continues to be so noticeably absent from his counterpart over at the Michigan Democratic Party.

During his time at the helm the party has stemmed the lefty tide in what has become a fairly reliably blue state, limiting legislative losses where I thought he had no chance, maintaining control of the state Senate against impossible odds, holding onto two of three statewide offices despite the environment and personally picking up the Republican banner, carrying it proudly and defiantly without an ounce of quit after the GOP Presidential nominee flat abandoned the state, mid-stream, taking his cash and his dynamic, conservative, enthusiasm generating VP nominee with him.

Still, I'm not sure any of that will be what Saul's remembered best for once his tenure at MRP ends.  When most Party Chairmen across the country hadn't given any indication they'd even heard of the internet, Saul was blogging.  He was on facebook.  He was on twitter.  The man was and is Michigan's original new media trailblazer and social networking guru.

Even now, when others understand that its important to blog, `whatever that is,' there are light years between their efforts and Saul's.  

And web activism isn't necessarily even the issue.  The issue is that Saul identified a trend and a growth opportunity that it took others years to see, he tackled it, he made it his own and he continues to use it to great effect.  We've got a lot of great conservatives running to become the next Chairman of the Republican National Committee.  There's only one, though, with that kind of vision.  

Plus I'm glad to know that Newt Gingrich agrees with me.  (Har har.)