The more I think about it, the more convinced I am that Gov. Mitt Romney needs to hire someone to reach out to conservative bloggers. So here's my unsolicited advice to Governor Romney about finding a blogger:

1. I realize that bloggers are just one facet of a good campaign. I don't pretend that they are the most important facet, either. But more and more we are seeing that they can play a major role AGAINST a candidate. Don't let it happen to you.

2. The key isn't to find someone to write good things about you -- you already have that at NRO. What you need more than anything is someone who has a relationship with conservative bloggers -- someone who goes to the meetings and knows the secret handshake. You don't need a journalist, you need an operative/activist. Here's an example: Speaking generally, conservative bloggers know -- and like -- Patrick Hynes (John McCain's blogger), but most have never met, say, K-Lo. If a Romney blogger wanted to reach out to any of the conservative bloggers that I know, they would be more than happy to talk to them. But so far, that hasn't happened. Of course, this doesn't guarantee good press -- but it sure doesn't hurt ...

3. Don't wait. I recently interviewed George Allen's blogger, Jon Henke. Jon warned that it was vital for candidates to have a good blog strategy from day one, otherwise, "Unfavorable frames and narratives will be free to develop in the media seed-bed of the blogosphere. Once developed, they become conventional wisdom and are very difficult to rebut." You are treading dangerously close to having a negative frame (which may or may not be fair or true) stick to you. You cannot afford to let the other side define you.

4. Don't know who to hire or where to look? Check out Rob Bluey's list ...

I hope this helps. Good luck, Governor!