Call me an idealist. I sent out the following message to members of a newly created Facebook group whose stated purpose is to try to get Congressman Peter Roskam elected Governor in 2010:

“I want to thank all of you for joining this group. Especially those of you who are actually from Illinois--although all support from any State is appreciated!

Why did I start this group? I'll confess, I'm a bit opportunistic. With the arrest of Governor Blagojevich, I see an opportunity that our State party would be remiss not to take. The people of Illinois are tired of voting for the lesser of "who cares?" We deserve a real politician, not the stuffed shirts we get stuck sending to Springfield. And with the Illinois Democratic Party left tainted, State Republicans have a chance that is too good to miss.

Governor Blagojevich won in 2006 because Topinka simply sucked worse. Forgive me for being so blunt. The people of Illinois deserve better... The Illinois GOP deserves better.

For once, we have a legitimate shot at electing a politician who has more than just the "gravitas" that voters usually have to settle for. Peter Roskam, I believe, is a man of authenticity. He is the perfect candidate to become the face of the Illinois Republican Party.

Our Party is in shambles. Illinois Republicans are disorganized, lost, and confused. That's because our candidates, even when they have electability, lack real leadership potential. Peter Roskam has it.

For 2010, we have a choice. The Illinois GOP could nominate another stuffed Republican that will fail the Party and the State, or we could elect a real leader. A principled Republican of character, authenticity, moral fiber, and, yes, that gravitas.

For all intents and purposes, this is 2009. We need to get a jump on supporting the man who can and should lead Illinois in 2010. Invite friends, rally support, wear "Roskam for Governor" t-shirts. Anything to get the word out.

Thank you for joining.”

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “The good ones always lose. ESPECIALLY in Illinois!” You’re not wrong.

I supported Fred Thompson during the 2008 Primaries, not because he was the most electable man, but because I honestly believed that he would have been the best man for the job. I learned quickly that the politician who should win is usually not the one who does.

But, here, in Illinois, in light of the recent tainting of the Democratic Party in Illinois, is it so insane that I see more of an opportunity than ever to push to elect the right man for the job?

Politics doesn’t have to be a choice between who will screw us less. We have a chance here to put in a candidate that we can honestly believe in. Illinois deserves that kind of chance.

“A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits.” ~Richard M. Nixon

The same holds true for our party. Last night, we were defeated. John McCain lost the Presidency to the most extreme big-government liberal of our time. Moreover, the Democrats have a brand new super-majority in Washington, controlling both houses of Congress by noteworthy margins.

I spent half the night trying to explain to my fellow Republicans that all is not lost. They fear for America’s future; some are convinced that the Republican Party may even be in jeopardy. I outright refuse to adopt such a defeatist attitude. I am not a quitter.

Readers, I assure you: my resolve has never been stronger. I was not broken by Obama’s win last night. Rather, I was emboldened. I was reminded that now, more than ever, is the time to fight. The time to fight tooth and nail to maintain our identity as the party of limited government, moral leadership, and National strength.

America will weather an Obama presidency. The Democratic Super Majority will last only two years; my sights are on 2010—the year we take back congress. It is our principles that founded America, and it will be our principles that win back the American electorate.

Beyond that, we have three names we need to watch: Mitt, Ron, and Sarah. The Republican Party is absent many new faces and strong leaders. But if one of these three people begins to act now; he or she can realistically poise him or herself to become our Party’s standard-bearer within the coming four years. Or who knows? Maybe someone better is waiting, just biding time until a brand new Republican Star is born.

The American People are unlike any other people in the world. We openly resent the inflation of the Government. We will not stand for a government taking our money, our liberties, and our ethics away from us. We don’t want the Government providing for us; we would rather provide for ourselves. One of the three people mentioned above can, if allowed, lead us to victory and back to becoming a Republican Party that our forebears would be proud of.

Let the Democrats celebrate today. Tomorrow, the Republican Party must resume a fighting stance. Do not ever give up.

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By the way, since I am a big fan of playing a hunch, there is one final name I want to put out for our Party to consider very carefully: John H. Hoeven of North Carolina. He is a good conservative, and the longest-serving current Governor in America. Just a name to contemplate for a while…