There are many creative and "conservative" ways for the Republican Party to achieve a broader appeal, to a more diverse population, without shameless pandering. Tax cuts and favorable small business loans to economically depressed areas - which happen to be heavily minority - would be good. More aggressive action on school vouchers, supported by most African-Americans, would also be good.

Having a bit more sensitivity to the issues and concerns of minorities would also help (like understanding why it IS a big problem when a national Republican leader seemingly waxes nostalgic for the good ole' days of segregation).

Note that this doesn't mean turning them into dependant addicts of every counterproductive social program imaginable...don't make the same mistakes the Democrats made, in other words.

In raw political terms the GOP has some cold, hard demographic facts to face. They will NOT remain the majority party without a broader appeal, and a higher percentage of the African-American vote in future years. The near term goal should be to raise the percentage of African-Americans voting Republican from 10% to 20%, not to drive it down to 0%.

Republicans best keep in mind that in an era where America and her values of freedom and democracy face dire threats from abroad, we simply can't afford divisiveness at home. Let's pitch a big tent for all Americans.