Top 5 Lessons learned by John Q. Republican in the 2012 election:

Sometimes Pollsters get it exactly right.   Maybe it was luck.  Maybe for all the wrong reasons.  Maybe the lure of free stuff was underestimated.  Regardless, many of the polls turned out to be pretty accurate.   The problem with a dishonest, inept press is that you can overlook the few times they are truthful.

Stop w/ Democrat-Lite.  It is not possible outbid Liberals.  We need to convince people that things earned are far better than things given by govt.   Both McCain & Romney were the most liberal Republicans and the choice of GOP elders.   Failures are a lesson the GOP seems to ignore.

Turnout is key.  You can't win if your party stays home.  Abandon the base at your peril.   If your candidate is on the opposite side of 2 major issues, Obamacare and Immigration, don't expect enthusiasm.  Then once Romney locked up the nomination only the precious Independents mattered.  His base was largely ignored and often belittled.

Most of the beltway GOP know little.  The best Rove, Krauthammer, et al can manage is squeakers and good efforts.  They are not bold.  Good showings and nice efforts do not get the W.   Style points count little.   Winning matters.  Winners steer the ship.  The GOP must learn lessons from Scot Walker and the Tea Party.  They are the ones taking scalps.

Do not listen to advice from Liberals.  What they claim would be helpful is exactly the opposite.  They keep saying we need to move to the left - and we keep losing.  In 2010 we went right and won.  Liberals are opponents not friends.  Will the GOP please, please recognize this!

-Conservatoons