To win.

Seriously that simple?

Absolutely.   It's clarity of focus.  

We've got a full slate of hyper-important races next year.  The Democrats seem to be coalescing around John Cherry at the top of the ticket.  Is Jennifer Granholm's right-hand man beatable?

Yes.  Our candidate's understand we need jobs.  The Cherry economy is a disaster.  We all know the numbers.  Cherry and the Democrats have increased the size of state government, raised taxes and done nothing as Michigan families fled to find opportunity elsewhere.  Our candidates will provide real-world solutions that change Michigan.

And just as important is the battle for the legislature.  The next group of lawmakers voters send to Lansing will be handling redistricting and drawing boundary lines for the next decade.  How aggressively will the Party be working to expand the Senate majority and to regain the House?  Is it doable?

Smart question!  Very aggressively.  This isn't a game of checkers, it's chess. We have to outmaneuver the other side everywhere.

On the flip side of that coin, there are issues and approaches that are both foundational to conservatives and proven winners.  Which issues do you see as both foundational and key for Republicans to win elections across the board in 2010?

Michigan wants economic solutions - it's all about j-o-b-s.

I don't have to tell you how hostile the mainstream media is to conservatives here in Michigan.  I compare it to trying to win a football game when you're going up against the opposing team and an officiating crew that appears biased.  How do we communicate our message to the voters against that kind of built-in obstacle?

Those at the convention heard WJR radio host Frank Beckman give an answer to this question.  It starts with understanding this is a reality and resolving we're not going to be blaming the media after 2010.  We're all going to roll up our sleeves and connect person-to-person.  It's a different world now.  The other part of it is Republicans working in concert; creating a chorus rather than a solo voice.

That's a tall order for the Party of the Individual.

But we can do it. We can do it because the core of our message is creating jobs here in Michigan.  It's singularity of our solutions that will help provide a louder more persuasive voice.

Frankly, I think Michigan is really leading the way as far as conservatives actively embracing technology and communicating in new and creative ways with voters who've never before had that kind of direct contact.  

Saul Anuzis and the team he had around him were fantastic advocates for the new media.  Will that continue over the next two years?

I promised at the convention to continue the successes we've had in "tech tactics" and to go beyond by having a world-class engagement program. I really believe `engagement' is the key.  We're not looking for an online press release or virtual talking points pushed from Lansing...we're talking about equipping online leaders to make an impact for Republican candidates.  

Tell me about your leadership team!  

There's a whole new slate of vice chairs taking the reins of the party - Lisa Bouchard, Scott Greenlee, Derek Moss, Jon Nunn, and Tory Rolling and Pete Vitale.  

At the convention you also announced some appointments you're making. Can you tell us about them?

We'll have plenty of new announcements in the next few weeks, but as you mentioned at the convention I noted we're broadening the immediate leadership team to create a greater diversity of geographical representation and experience. Sharon Wise, as you know, was elected with me as Co-Chair.  She's great!  Very high energy, elected statewide and she's one of the hardest working activists I've met.

Additionally, I've appointed three Deputy Co-chairs to help: Tom Casperson, Norm Shinkle and Barb Vanderveen.  All three are former legislators and longtime GOP leaders.  I'm really excited about the leadership they'll provide and the representation they'll make for the Party.

Together, these leaders along with the elected Vice Chairs and new State Committee are a powerful team we're fielding.  Our tasks certainly require more hands, not fewer, so we'll be talking about that in the coming weeks as well.

The average RightMichigan reader is an activist by nature.  It is what draws folks to a political blogging community... draws folks to get involved.  So put us to work.  What can we do now, here in February and March of 2009 that can help make the difference in November of 2010?

My kind of people!  As we talked previously, winning is our goal and we don't have to wait till 2010 to start.  A special election in Michigan's 19th Senate District will happen this November - just 245 days from now.

This was held previously by a Democrat hostile to Michigan's taxpayers and working families.  We're going to change that.  Each of our local Party's will be plugged into helping identify, persuade and then turn out voters to win this race. We need all of the RightMichigan readers to lend a hand!

Chairman Weiser, thanks a ton for taking the time!