REPUBLICANS:US conservatives face an uphill battle to restore their party's shattered credibility, writes Mark Hennessyin Phoenix, Arizona
UNDER PRESIDENT George Bush, the Republican Party drifted further to the right and lost credibility over its ability to manage the economy.
Humiliated by a liberal politician in Barack Obama, some Republicans and outsiders may believe that they have to return to the centre if they are to restore that credibility.
However, America is essentially a conservative country.
Proposition 8, which once again bans gay marriage in California, passed on Tuesday night in what is considered the most liberal state in the union.
Opportunities in the future may lie with a more tightly argued creed of limited government, states' rights and social conservatism on issues such as gay marriage - if the Republican's holy grail of a federal abortion ban can be put to one side.
Bruised and battered, early signs of dissent within the ranks are already being heard over Tuesday's defeats in the presidential, congressional and a host of other ballots.
In the recriminations to come, John McCain, who was never trusted by most Republicans, will be accused of inconsistency, erratic behaviour, and of not being conservative enough.
In Congress, the party can only hope that the Democrats overplay their hand, and are then punished by voters in the 2010 mid-term elections.
Such overplay has happened before. It is hard to find an example where either party has failed to take the opportunity to ride roughshod over the other when the chance presented itself.
But mistakes by the Democrats will not be enough. The Republicans have been outflanked by Barack Obama's ability to ignite new and lapsed voters. These new voters will change the electoral mathematics - if they stay involved.
Tuesday's results have transformed the Republicans into little more than a regional party - one that is failing to connect with both well-paid college graduates and the poor. The Republicans face an almighty task. They must become more inclusive and more culturally diverse, while holding on to the key principles of the party. These are often contradictory ambitions.
They will need strong leaders.
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell has survived, but he will not inspire full confidence and may be challenged for that job.
The battle for the Republican National Committee's chairmanship is already beginning.
One likely candidate is former Arkansas governor and one-time presidential hopeful, Mike Huckabee.
And Sarah Palin? It is said she harbours ambitions to run for president in 2012.
She galvanised the party's grassroots but has shown little ability to widen its appeal.
During the campaign, some voters who respected McCain simply could not tolerate the prospect that someone with such a thin record could be just a heartbeat away from the presidency.
America is the land of reinvention, however. Palin could offer assurances if she shows some intellectual curiosity - hardly a quality she has displayed so far.
An NBC- Wall Street Journalpoll said that just 12 per cent of voters thought she should lead the Republicans. Some 29 per cent of those polled preferred former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.
Like Huckabee, Romney is another former presidential hopeful who may throw his name into the hat in 2012.
Palin now will make the journey back to Wasilla, Alaska. She may find that she will have to stay there.