Huddle up GOP, it's time to make plans for 2012.

Alright, yesterday went well, but we need to get to work. What's important is that we do the right things over the next two years to set us up for the big races to come. Keep in mind at all times our key strength: In American politics it's not necessary to win. We just need to come in next-to-last.

At the federal level we just need to do more of the same. We could get some concessions from Obama and the Dems, but screw that. That's the consolation prize. It's all about obstruction for us. It worked yesterday and it will work in 2012. People are going to vote based on their views of the economy and we want them dissatisfied in 2012. To make that happen, the best thing we can do is keep Congress deadlocked. They'll take it out on Obama, not us.

At the federal level:

Health care - We don't want to do anything big here. Rail against Obamacare in the media, but there's nothing to gain legislatively at this point. Tell insurance companies to bide their time and get ready to spend money for us in 2012, and we'll get things done for them after that election.

Medicare - Restore the spending increases cut in the last session. Then (This is great!) tell seniors that we saved them from a government takeover of their health care.

Climate change - Block any measures to deal with climate change. Make sure the fossil fuel industries know we've got their backs so they'll be there in 2012 with their checkbooks open.

Unemployment - Block any extensions to unemployment insurance, claiming it's a deficit control measure. We can also say it's to encourage people to get back to work. Don't worry about "disenfranchising" voters. Homeless people don't vote, but they scare the crap out of the middle class, and scared middle class voters will vote for us.

Let's not forget tax cuts for the rich. They're not a drag on the budget, but rather an investment that will pay off at campaign time.

We have one big worry for 2012: We need a presidential candidate that will win over the Tea Party while still appealing to more moderate voters. We've seen that our base will elect Sharon Angle/Christine O'Donnell types. Be ready to counter that with lots of money in the primaries. Also, anybody who mentions Sarah Palin gets punched in the throat.

At the state level, besides clever redistricting, we should work on the anti-immigrant angle. That well is going to run dry eventually but not yet. Mexican drug violence also helps us, so we need to do what we can to make it easy to buy guns that will eventually find their way south. Also, cut back on drug rehab programs as much as possible.

Overall, the next two years are no-brainers for us, no pun intended.