Ok, the Republican party is on a "Listening tour" to try and rebuild the party. Here are some of my thoughts on problems and solutions.

Conservative issues (not in any particular order):
Abortion
Same sex "marriage"
Embryonic stem cell research
Activist judiciary
Illegal Immigration
Lower taxes
Strong National Defense
Onerous environmental regulation
Tort Reform
Gun Ownership Rights
Tough on crime

Most who identify themselves as conservative have similar thinking on the above issues, however there is much division on what they are passionate about. Different sub groups of conservatives concentrate on one or a few of the above issues.

The Republican Party has basically become the "Conservative" party, however has had difficulty in handling being a "big tent" party and allowing for candidates with more liberal views on some of the above issues, or following strict adherence to a conservative position on all or most all of the above issues.

Conservatives who are passionate about one or a few of the above issues should not give up their passion and should not mute their view. However, they also should not totally give up on the Republican party. Sure, focus your energy and donations toward specific groups dealing with the issues you care about (pro-life, anti-tax, Church, etc.). But pay attention to the primaries. Contribute to out of district/state candidates who reflect your values. Ultimately vote for who will do the least harm if that's all you can do with your vote. It's not a compromise. I'd like a million dollars on my paycheck, but I'll take what I get for now.

The Republican party can be a "big tent" party. It should probably speak up more boldly that that's what it is, and sometimes it will have to run candidates who are more liberal on some of the above issues in order to hope to win. But if a candidate wants higher taxes, more judicial activism, or more appeasement with hostile governments, he should probably be directed to the Democratic party.

Additionally, the Republican party needs to beat it over the heads of all its candidates and all its leaders, DO NOT join the liberal attack machine, and join them in condemning any conservative or conservative political group. For instance, a Republican candidate who is more liberal on the marriage issue, if asked about some other Republican who spoke of homosexuality being a sin, just say something like "I don't believe that, but we're a big ten party, and we have various views. What my constituents care about, and what I care about is getting this economy going ..." and just leave it at that. Condemning other conservatives is only going to lose him more votes that will be gained. If he doesn't follow this advice, send him a "stupid" sign.