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Thirty-two states currently have early voting. The RNC needs a “Win Early Program” aimed at engaging aggressively in the state with early voting or no-excuse absentee laws. In many states, we can be well on the way to victory long before the polls open on Election Day. The traditional “72-Hour Program” is no longer a relevant start-time for our get-out-the-vote activities.

All aspects of list development and micro-targeting should be reevaluated and retooled with more emphasis on integrating social media technologies and real-time volunteer list enhancements. Regional training seminars should be reestablished. With redistricting in play, the RNC should be a clearinghouse of legal and technical assistance to states for the redistricting process.

The RNC’s political operations must also show respect for the true independent and authentic nature of the grassroots Tea Party and Patriot groups. Their energy is exciting, vibrant, and a big part of why we won in 2010. Let’s listen to them and engage them — not try to co-opt them into the RNC.

We must improve communications, both internally and externally, with the RNC members, Congressional leaders, national party committees, presidential campaigns and state parties in areas such as messaging, fundraising, candidate recruitment and redistricting.

Never have we had so many ways to communicate with voters. The RNC must be on the cutting edge — utilizing new media in all communications so we can connect with voters and be an influential voice in the conversation.

The 2012 election should be about our candidates — not the RNC chair — but we do need a strong spokesperson who can go head-to-head with Tim Kaine and the national Democrats when necessary.

Why is all of this important? It is important because elections have consequences. Right now our freedoms and values are under assault in Washington. The 2008 election has resulted in soaring spending, massive debt and an expansive and intrusive federal government. If we are to complete the job we started in 2010 to bring conservative leadership to Washington in 2012, we need new leadership, a new direction and a new team at the RNC.

Ann Wagner is a candidate for RNC chair. She was the first woman chair of the Missouri Republican Party (1998-2005), Co-Chair of the RNC (2001-2005), Ambassador to Luxembourg (2005-2009) and chair of Roy Blunt’s successful U.S. Senate campaign in 2010.