DeMint's task: Senator says he wants to be part of changing Republican party's future

It is being touted as a herculean task, the charge that Sen. Jim DeMint says is the reason he is resigning his Senate seat and taking the job as the leader of the Heritage Foundation.

His goal is to help the Republican Party formulate its next step -- and to figure out how to turn the party's message into something that resonates with voters.

There will be some tinkering of policy, of course. And there will be some need for change in presentation. But what soon-to-be-former Sen. DeMint will really need is simply a resolve to believe in the principles for which his party has traditionally stood -- and then the wisdom and talent to figure out a way to communicate those values and positions to the American people.

And it might not be as difficult a task as the pundits predict.

Truth is, many of the values and freedoms that the Republicans champion are rooted at the very core of American tradition and history.

The trick is getting those who are not yet on board to see the connection. And to this point, communication has been a problem.

But there is hope. This was not a landslide election. It was not a resounding affirmation of the other side's agenda.

Many people feel this nation is headed in a dangerous direction and want to see a change.

The trick will be getting them to trust that the GOP will bring that change.

And that will take leadership and vision.

Let's hope DeMint is up to the task.

Published in Editorials on December 7, 2012 11:00 AM