Next year's gubernatorial election will be the first since 1998 without an incumbent on the ballot. And in 1998, one of those non incumbent candidates - Roy Barnes - was elected and then defeated in his bid for a second term for by Sonny Perdue.

Recently, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution featured an op-ed piece, “Political Memo for Georgia Democrats.” The author, Howard Franklin - a self-described “Red Clay Democrat” - is a supporter of the former Democratic Governor Roy Barnes.

“It’s been 11 years since a non incumbent Georgia Democrat won a statewide election. But former Gov. Roy Barnes hopes to change that in 2010. Now, more than ever, Democrats must seize this opportunity and cultivate fertile ground for statewide victories - for Barnes and for down-ballot Democrats to follow...”

Mr. Franklin then proceeds to outline “five things [Georgia Democrats] must do to win beyond the 2010 primaries.”

“1. Present an attractive Democratic brand to voters: …Unifying policy positions to win over moderate and independent voters.”

“2. Acknowledge the role of race in politics: ... Democrats must put aside identity politics.”

“3. Avoid costly primary battles: ...Bloody primary battles jeopardize statewide elections”

“4. Run strong everywhere: Recruit good candidates across the state.”

“5. Lure working-class white men back: They have left the party in droves, taking their moderating sensibilities with them.”

Sage advice from Mr. Franklin but Democrats are probably poised - again - not to heed the advice contained in numbers 2 and 5.

Franklin's memo to Georgia Democrats prompts me to offer my own memo to Georgia Republicans.

I've made no secret about being less than enthused with the currently announced same ol', same ol' Republican gubernatorial candidates and I've encouraged Herman Cain to enter the fray. I've also taken to task so called “Family Values” Republicans.

Having written all that, however, Georgia can't afford to go back to a Democrat in the governor's mansion. 2002 was a watershed year in our politics when voters elected the first Republican gubernatorial candidate in 135 years, Sonny Perdue.

So, paraphrasing Mr. Franklin's five points, here are five things Georgia Republicans “must do to win beyond the 2010 primaries.”

1. Present an attractive [Republican] brand to voters: We've made remarkable progress since 2002 practicing the virtues of low taxes and fiscal restraint. This is a patented Republican brand and the party should never, ever stray from it.

2. Acknowledge the role of race in politics: Identity politics - including playing the race card - is not a Republican problem. A third of Democratic Primary voters are African-American and they vote overwhelmingly Democratic in the General Election. While that won't change in 2010, Republicans must continue to preach the gospel of opportunity, limited government and individual freedom to Black and Hispanic voters.

3. [Can't] avoid costly primary battles: Unless there's a consensus candidate emerges - as Barnes is likely to be in the Democratic Primary - a costly Republican Primary battle looms.

4. Run strong everywhere: There's no dearth of good Republican candidates which is one reason the state legislature is now in Republican hands.

5. [Keep] working-class white men: There's no chance of losing white men BUT Republicans must appeal to Independents and avoid party hardliners on such issues as Sunday alcohol sales.

Th Georgia electorate - within a few points - is almost evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans. Each can generally count on a base of about 43% of the General Election vote. The rest comes from Independents and Libertarians.

This is why number 5 is so critical to Republican fortunes in 2010. The electorate is more diverse now and is also less wedded to party affiliation or loyalty. Republicans cannot elect a candidate who ignores this.

While Republicans may be gleeful about a possible rematch with “King Roy” Barnes next fall, he'll be a formidable and resourceful challenger. If there's a Republican Primary brawl resulting in a bloody runoff - similar to the Democrats self-destructing primary battle in 2006 - the Republican nominee will face a tough General Election fight.