GOPb: The word "blog" was the word of the year in 2004 according to Merriam-Webster. Did the Bush-Cheney campaign regularly read blogs?

KM:One of the biggest lessons learned from the campaign was the extent that new media gained influence. The campaign intensely monitored web logs and talk radio every day.

GOPb: Did the grassroots effort of 2004 work out entirely as planned, or did you hope an even greater effort? If so, what do you believe needs to be done to further expand the GOP's grassroots efforts?

KM: The passionate support for President Bush enabled us to mount a grassroots effort last year that surpassed all our goals. Our grassroots activists really came through during the election and made those person-to-person contacts that are so crucial in winning an election. Volunteers made 102,000 calls to talk radio shows, wrote 411,989 letters to the editor, wrote 69,000 personal letters to targeted voters, registered 467,000 voters via the web, knocked on 9.1 million doors and made a total of 27.2 million volunteer phone calls.

We will continue building upon that success as the 2006 and 2008 elections approach. We will take nothing for granted -- continuously assessing the best ways to find and register new voters, identify and mobilize Republicans who don't always vote, persuade independents and discerning Democrats and turn out our Republican base.

GOPb: The Democrats elected Howard Dean as their Chairman earlier this year, have any words for him?

KM: I congratulate Howard Dean on winning the election for DNC Chairman and I look forward to working with him.

GOPb: Many people believe Howard Dean can energize the young people in our country. As RNC Chairman, how do you plan to reach out to young, new, and future voters?

KM: Young voters are critical to our Party's future success. We are using new media to target younger voters. Young people know the importance of strengthening Social Security for future generations, and are incredibly supportive of the President's efforts to ensure that Social Security remains viable for them when they retire. Young people also care deeply about creating jobs and winning the War on Terror.

GOPb: In your remarks at the RNC Winter Meeting, you said the party should "use the tools that produced victory on Election Day," and you mentioned "bloggers separating fact from fiction" as one of those tools. How do you anticipate the Republican National Committee reaching out to bloggers while you are chairman?

KM: The RNC is making strong efforts to reach out to the blog community. In addition to revving up the blog on GOP.com, I hope to do regular interviews with blogs, like this one, as well as making sure communication with bloggers is part of our overall message strategy. As we saw during the 2004 election, bloggers often came out with correct information faster than the mainstream media. We see working with blogs as an important tool as we move forward enacting the President's agenda and working towards victories in 2006 and beyond.

GOPb: The Democrats seem to have a similar strategy in place already. They have an active blog on their site, as well as a blogroll. How does the RNC plan to be different—and potentially more successful—at reaching out to blogs and harnessing their power?

KM: We are in the midst right now of overhauling our entire Web site to include even more ways for people to get involved online, a more active blog and a more interactive site over all. We've got some great things planned that take our Internet strategy to the next level. In addition, we're incorporating blogs into our overall communications strategy. We have people who are regularly reading and talking to bloggers about what the RNC is doing and how we can best utilize them to their full potential.

GOPb: What are going to be the hardest political battles in the next four years and what are the Republicans going to do help President Bush pass his agenda?

KM: President Bush is the first President in recent memory to run for reelection with a clear agenda for a second term in office. Almost everywhere he went during the campaign, the President told Americans about his vision for strengthening Social Security, reforming our medical liability system and tax code and continuing to win the War on Terror. The President is dedicated to doing what he said he would do, and is trying to work with both Republicans and Democrats in Congress to ensure his vision becomes a reality. If the Democrats choose to play politics with the President's priorities, however, the RNC will ensure that the truth gets out.

GOPb: What are the Republicans going to do to fight against the Democrats attempts to block the President's judicial nominees this term?

KM: It is simply unprecedented that one party is using the filibuster to block an up or down vote on highly qualified judicial nominees that have the support of a majority of senators. The Democrats' refusal to allow votes on judicial nominees are unfair and unfaithful to their Constitutional duty when it comes to judicial nominations. Republicans are actively evaluating what can be done to avoid the stalemate over judicial nominations that developed during the President's first term.

GOPb: With the 2004 election over, many are already looking ahead towards 2008. Do you think blogs will play an important role in the primaries and perhaps influence who the Party's nominee will be?

KM: There is no question that blogs will play an important role in the 2008 election, both in the primary and in the general election. I think all Republican candidates in 2008 will work hard to bolster their support among bloggers. Last years election demonstrated the important role played by new media in general and bloggers in particular.

GOPb: Ken, I thank you for taking the time to do this interview. I believe it is great that our Party has a chairman with a clear vision for the Party and who understands blogs. I hope to have you back here at GOP Bloggers in the future.

KM: Thank you. I hope to do more interviews like this in the future.