I don't think this is a time to gloat. Sure, you had a couple key wins in this progressive era of politics but it wasn't so much a win for the GOP as a loss to Obama's policies. In other words I don't believe Obama's win last year was necessarily because of his policies as much as people were fed up and voted against Bush's party. The same thing is happening now. I Voted third party in 2008 because I refuse to vote against my principles and in no way did McCain represent conservative principles, furthermore the fiscal irresponsibility of the GOP had a lot to do with it as well. RINO's have infected this party from the ground up and the candidate you guys backed in NY-23 is a slap in the face to conservatives. I refuse to be fooled by these liberals in disguise. Democrats like to spin this as Republicans cleansing the tent but in reality this country has been progressively going left for years and these supposed "moderates" aren't actually moderate at all. Even FDR new better than to try and implement his 2nd bill of rights by the way of legislature but for some reason in the 21st century we find ourselves so left that socialist policies have become the cultural norm in Washington. If you want to win next year get back to our principles. Stick with a few key issues; The economy, Taxes, and liberty. These are things that everyone is concerned about. The social issues don't necessarily have to take a backseat but these are the issues that concern all of us and just so happen to be the points we all can rally around. If abortion and gay rights take over the debate next year you'll see me leave once again, because while they are important issues they aren't worth the sacrifice of our long term prosperity. Grow or Die is our primary concern. If this country isn't growing economically we'll die before we ever solve the debate of Roe V. Wade or Gay Rights. Jason DeForest

I don't think this is a time to gloat. Sure, you had a couple key wins in this progressive era of politics but it wasn't so much a win for the GOP as a loss to Obama's policies. In other words I don't believe Obama's win last year was necessarily because of his policies as much as people were fed up and voted against Bush's party. The same thing is happening now. I Voted third party in 2008 because I refuse to vote against my principles and in no way did McCain represent conservative principles, furthermore the fiscal irresponsibility of the GOP had a lot to do with it as well. RINO's have infected this party from the ground up and the candidate you guys backed in NY-23 is a slap in the face to conservatives. I refuse to be fooled by these liberals in disguise. Democrats like to spin this as Republicans cleansing the tent but in reality this country has been progressively going left for years and these supposed "moderates" aren't actually moderate at all. Even FDR new better than to try and implement his 2nd bill of rights by the way of legislature but for some reason in the 21st century we find ourselves so left that socialist policies have become the cultural norm in Washington. If you want to win next year get back to our principles. Stick with a few key issues; The economy, Taxes, and liberty. These are things that everyone is concerned about. The social issues don't necessarily have to take a backseat but these are the issues that concern all of us and just so happen to be the points we all can rally around. If abortion and gay rights take over the debate next year you'll see me leave once again, because while they are important issues they aren't worth the sacrifice of our long term prosperity. Grow or Die is our primary concern. If this country isn't growing economically we'll die before we ever solve the debate of Roe V. Wade or Gay Rights. Jason DeForest

I am hoping that you are paying attention to the comments you are receiving Mr. Steele. The first president that I voted for was Reagan and have watched the steady decline of our party ever since. The people that are leaving the party in droves are calling themselves conservatives and are needing for the GOP to return to its constitutional roots. I have been hearing a lot of talk about litmus tests, I for one would like to see the RNC begin to go on the offensive against those in our party that claim to be Republicans and then embrace Progressive ideologues. It's time for our leadership to throw out the Olympia Snowe's and the Lindsay Grahams. The RNC needs to have our Congressman and leadership take binding pledges to uphold the conservative values of our party, take oaths to be ethical and not to kowtow to the Democrat leadership. If they do then they need to be told to leave the party. There is a time for war and a time for peace. This is a time to rally the party for war and quit being kinder gentler throw rugs for the aggressive progressives to wipe their feet on. let's stop this passive reach across the aisle trash and take this country back to fiscal and social conservatism and to the constitutional republic that our founders envisioned before the socialists and fascists on the left destroy this country and turn us into their political slaves.

Mr.Steele,yesterday was a beginning for Conservatism to return to our Country, however, there are many miles to go yet. The people at the grassroots level that got out and helped with the race in New Jersey and New York 23 are far from convinced that the Republican party has magically returned to it's roots of the party of Reagan. We will no longer support candidates such as Scozzafava or McCain. We are not a party of moderate to liberal's. We believe in strong, core, conservative values of small government, fiscal responsibility, pro life, that marriage is between a man and a woman, putting God back in our classroom, teaching our children the true history of our country and not the liberal garbage that is being spewed in classrooms today. It's time to restore the Pledge of Allegiance, it's time that Christian values quit taking a backseat to every person who disagrees with the Christian religion and that the courts quit trying to outlaw the very principles and values this country was founded upon. Christianity has just as much a place in our society as every other religious belief. Quit with the inequality. Until the Republican party can prove that they have returned to the party of Reagan, you will find that there are very few of us who will directly contribute to the RNC. We will however, contribute, back, and help the conservative candidate that we feel ascribes to the values and principles we look for in an elected Representative of the people. New York 23 was a huge embarrassment and we do not want to see another candidate of that ilk promoted. You have a lot of work cut out for you Mr. Steele if you want the support of the conservatives in this country back.

Having seen this grassroots effort take hold in the most recent elections I am hoping they will continue to flow into the state of Massachusetts for our candidate, Scott Brown. Scott is running for the Senate seat of Ted Kennedy. He is currently serving as a State Senator and has been making great progress in his campaign. With support of our RNC he could make the push for this special election and overcome a great hurdle for the GOP in Washington. We hope that your support would be imminent given the short span of time between now and the election.

You are right in thanking the popular ground swell for the victories. Where would the Republican Party be if not for the Tea parties and town hall meetings? The growing discontent and anger will be directed at this party and there is a very large danger of a third party emerging. People came out for John McCain and were sick to their stomachs over it. Pay attention to the enthusiasm that Sarah Palin and Joe Wilson inspire. We want straight talk and hard hitting attacks. We watched Bush get beaten into the ground for years by the Democratic smear teams and mute Republicans. We elect people and they hide in the corridors of Congress. You will not get a penny of my money when I read about candidates like Scozzafava. A squandered opportunity. You gave her $900,000? When will you ever learn, if you run a Conservative, you will get the moderates. It doesn't work the other way around. Just expose the extreme left and the moderates will run to the Republican party. The Dems have shown their hand - they are no longer closet socialists. Shout it from the mountain tops! The independents love the freedom. They love it so much - they won't even surrender it to a party. The ship is sailing once again and this party is on the dock wondering what to do. LISTEN to the voters who will show up. They are trying to lead - look at how they revived the elephant since the election.

Yesterday was just the beginning! We have a lot of work to do between now and next November. We cannot make the mistake of voting for someone just because they have an "R" next to their name! We must donate and support candidates who are TRUE CONSERVATIVES! No more "RINOS"; No more "Big Tent"! The GOP does not need to be "inclusive" and it does not need to "get along" with Democrats! You either support Conservative values or you can stay out of the GOP! Are you listening Michael? Are you listening RNC? I hope so, because that's the ONLY way we're going to win elections!

How do you spell "frustration?" For over three years now, I have been try to tell the GOP "leaders" what it means to be a Republican, and its not being a moderate or a liberal. It seems it took NY23 to get the attention. Quite frankly, I do not how the GOP nominated a person like McCain to run for president..........it blows my mind that some could be so out of touch. Obama was a fad; we are for real. Start fielding conservatives and upholding conservative principles, especially when it comes to social issues (the homosexuals and abortionist have got most of the Republican leaders brainwashed) and we will donate and vote for conservatives. If not, then people like me will start running at the grass root level. We need principled leaders, not puppets.

Please don't get too cocky with the recent wins in Virginia and New Jersey. New Jersey has always been iffy but Virginians just had a lapse of judgement with the recent Democrat victories there. Now it appears they have regained some sense! Thankfully. Unfortunately, with very few exceptions in Congress (John Boehner, Ron Paul, etc.), Republicans are little better than the Democrats when it comes to interfering in people's lives. I stopped supporting the GOP when the Republicans (not all but too many)supported the tobacco tax increases. Government has no right to try to mold people's values or lifestyles - that is the job of parents and religious leaders. If I want someone trying to change or 'fix' me (e.g. be my nanny), I will vote for a Democrat. If Republicans ever learn their proper place again, I will return to the fold. Roll back the taxes!!!

At the risk of saying "me too", I have to echo what has been said by others. I too get all of the e-mails to "send money", but assuming that I can scrape some together, I need to see the Republican party return to its roots. I am not trying to divide the party or run people out, but the party needs to offer a clear alternative to the socialist vision of the democrats. The party's 2008 presidential campaign was a disaster, and NY-23 shouldn't have happened. We have to field candidates that actually believe in freedom and conservative values and articulate a message other than "vote for us because Obama and Pelosi are bad".