Congressional Quarterly Politics: Most Early 2010 House Retirees Come From One-Sided Districts (5-3-09)

As for the four Democrats who are not seeking re-election to the House -- all are running for either governor or senator in their home states -- Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama won all of their districts with an average of 71 percent of the vote.

In Hawaii's 1st District, which Rep. Neil Abercrombie is leaving open to run for governor, Republicans think that Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou is a strong candidate even in an area that gave Obama 70 percent of the vote....

FOX News: Republicans on the Hunt for Messengers as Party Moves to Reconnect With Voters (5-4-09)

The recruitment push is unavoidably part of the GOP quest for identity and leadership. President Obama, an untraditional candidate from an untraditional background, helped Democrats define themselves and win over followers during the end of the Bush years. Now Republicans are looking in out-of-the-ordinary places for candidates who can enthuse Americans and pick up seats in their name.... 

"We want to make a special effort, I think, to reach out and bring together a broader spectrum of candidates that might, over time, grow the Republican base," Donatelli said. 

He said the party, on the local level, is also looking for well-known community leaders, including business men and women, who are skilled speakers and know how to talk specifics when addressing GOP priorities. 

"Sometimes we talk in generalities, and I think voters are a lot more discerning today," he said.

Paul Lindsay, spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, said the same criteria apply in the search for U.S. House and Senate candidates. He said community leaders, not necessarily office-holders, and people from "non-traditional" backgrounds are in high demand.

He provided a list of recent GOP recruits for congressional races that showed promise. The list included Tran in California. It also included Honolulu City Councilman Charles Djou and Manchester, N.H., Mayor Frank Guinta. All would be challenging Democrats for Congress in their respective states....

RELATED: Hawaii donors backing Djou Congressional campaign draw national attention , How the GOP Can Court Black Voters