One way for the Republicans to win back Congress

Al Gore's predecessor as congressman was Joe L. Evins, also a Democrat. In the summer of 1972, outgoing Republican Senator Bill Frist interned for Evins.

From the biography of Frist, Healing America: The Life of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and the Issues that Shape Our Times, comes this enlightening conversation:

(Frist asks Evins) "Excuse me, sir, if someone my age wanted to serve in the U.S. Congress, what advice would you give them."

"Bill," Congress Evins responded in a fatherly tone, "Washington is full of career politicians. If you really want to serve your country well, go do something else--and it doesn't matter exactly what you do--but do it outside of Washington and do it successfully. After that twenty years of something else, come back to Washington, and use what you've learned to dedicate a part of your life to the greatest of all careers, public service."

Although there are many brilliant and well qualified Republicans in the "farm clubs," that is, state legislatures, city councils, and government agencies, if the GOP is going to take back Congress in 2008, what we need to do is put forth a slate of candidates that fit the bill Evins described.

We need successful women and men who've excelled in other fields--and not just lawyers---to put their credentials in front of voters and say, "I'm a winner, and I want to serve America in Washington."

Frist was a successful heart transplant doctor for 16 years before he entered politics.

On a side note, Dr. Frist is an avid marathon runner.

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