1.  A bonafide conservative, even when endorsed by other bonafide conservatives, will not necessarily sway the electorate, nor does an endorsement by ACORN guarantee defeat.

2.  Public figures like President Obama and former Governor Sarah Palin have little or no impact on state and local elections.

3.  Local voters resent outside interference by ideologues and power-brokers in local elections.

4.  3rd party candidates almost never win elections, no matter what their political persuasion is.

5.  Conservatives will never succeed as a third-party.

6.  The destiny of conservatism lies within the Republican Party.

7.  Conservative economic principles sell well.

8.  Americans don’t want gay marriage legalized.

9.  The Republican Party is alive and well.

10. The mainstream liberal media and conservative radio have far less influence on state and local elections than we think they do.

11. Whole blocs of the Democratic party - Labor, youth, blacks - can be hard to motivate for state and local races, unless they see something to be gained for themselves.

12. The Republican base will almost always vote as a matter of principle, no matter what.

13. More and more, elections are decided by undeclared, uncommitted voters who frequently lean right.

14. Off-year and special elections tend to benefit the party out of power.

15. The Democrats should be nervous - very nervous - about 2010.