Republicans need fresh ideas, not a savior

– The Republican Party is in a free fall because as the song says, it's been "looking for love in all the wrong places." The United States needs an intelligent, loyal party in opposition. Without it, democracy atrophies. Yet the GOP seems unable to fulfill this crucial role. Its years in the majority made it susceptible to arrogance and greed, and today it's a party depleted of the fresh ideas, civility, and wisdom it desperately needs for a revival. After Sen. Arlen Specter's defection, it also risks being depleted of the strength to stop any Democratic legislation. In such a state, it's tempting to look for a single character to resurrect the party's fortunes. But Republicans don't need a savior as much as they need a cash crop of ideas. The GOP was born of a truly virtuous idea – the abolition of human slavery – and it was repeatedly reborn over the years out of new visions.