There is a very obvious lesson for the Republican Party to learn after the 2006 elections: Do not compromise.

The willingness of Republican strategists to try to look "moderate", in order to have a "big tent" has led to the greatest NH GOP failure in its history. (It should be noted that this failure came BEFORE Wayne Semprini took over as head of the party; he is only dealing with the after effects of bad ideas from the past.)

It should come as no surprise to those who have been watching this train move down the tracks that a wreck was inevitable. If the GOP wants to appeal to leftists (and that is what the moderates actually are, let's not kid about it) by expanding spending, expanding regulations and increasing the size of government, they have no right to be in the GOP.

The only hope for the NH GOP is to stand on principle, to oppose every statist, anti-individual proposal by the Dems, and to tell people they are doing it. The NH GOP has suffered for a long time from the ill effects of HUBRIS (a little message to Tom Rath). The party leaders have no idea how to maintain media messages, or even what messages to produce. They need a lot of training.

Meanwhile, the NH Dems will move on their hopes to:

Expand LCHIP

Increase the funding for the Childrens' Health Insurance Program, which already allows families four times above the poverty line to get on the dole, and causes inflationary tendencies in the market.

Increase tourism funding for specially connected businesses.

Increase regulations on businesses, such as the Wal Mart insurance bill, which would force Wal Mart to give insurance coverage to part-time employees.

Pass a seat belt law.

Pass a ban on smoking in private restaurants and bars.

Fund high-speed internet for the "North Country".

Fund "senior" bus transportation in Grafton Cty.

Anything else?

Oh, yes. Push for in income or sales tax here.

On a brighter note, President Bush has nominated a CIA man for Defense Secretary. Nice to see he wants to connect with the soliders on the ground by going to an intel man.