Michael Gerson and Peter Wehner, former advisors to President George W. Bush, have penned an article for Commentary Magazine entitled "The Path to Republican Revival." The piece, currently available online as a special preview of September's print edition, describes the recent political troubles of the GOP and offers up principles for the revitalization of the GOP electoral brand--including an endorsement of an ASPIRE Act-like proposal.

Gerson and Wehner believe that the first step back towards a GOP majority is a series of missteps by President Obama and the Democrats:

Obama's overreach has created a measure of opportunity for Republicans. The question is whether that opportunity will be grasped. Can Republicans overcome their manifest problems and succeed in preparing themselves for a restoration of public trust, and can they do so not only by appealing to new groups but also by offering compelling answers to pressing public needs?

Their GOP platform includes strong national defense, and a host of areas in need of reform--tax structure, budget, financial regulatory and tort systems, as well as continuing education reforms. Gerson and Wehner single out economic growth and asset building efforts for special consideration: