RALEIGH — The chattering political class in Washington has been working overtime analyzing and dissecting the upset victory that Scott Brown engineered over Martha Coakley for the Senate seat previously held for nearly 50 years by the late liberal icon Teddy Kennedy.

Finger-pointing among the left and the White House began before Democratic nominee Coakley lost. It continues both privately and publicly among a confused and dispirited Democratic Party.

Some on the left argue that that President Obama has not tacked hard enough to the left, while the White House blames the defeat on the same “anger” that propelled Obama to victory in 2008.

The view by the president and his political advisers that there is a correlation between what transpired in his election and what took place in 2010 in the bastion of American liberalism is a complete disconnect, and utter folly.

Brown’s campaign platform consisted of being the 41st vote in the U.S. Senate to both defeat Obamacare and deny Miranda rights for terrorists. Brown also understood that it was the “economy, stupid” — he stressed tax cuts and private sector job creation, not the massive expansion of the federal government advocated by President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

What happened in the Massachusetts Senate race was the complete rejection of Obama’s agenda and his stewardship of America’s national security and domestic policy.

To be blunt, Scott Brown’s election has transformed the political landscape in this country. What were once guaranteed Democrat victories for the U.S. Senate and House have dissipated into competitive races with the retirement or withdrawal of key Democratic congressman and senators and some top-flight recruits.

Veteran political analyst Charlie Cook says retirements are creating a “vicious circle” for Democratic politicians. For the first time Cook in this election cycle, Cook sees a significant risk that those Democrats could lose the House this year.

Cook also predicts that come November there is a 50-50 chance Democrats will end up with fewer than 55 Senate seats in the next Congress.

The question is, Can Republicans capitalize on the rejection of Obama’s misguided programs and policies and offer commonsense solutions that resonate with independents and the middle class?

Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich argues in the affirmative.

In recent speeches and in articles, Gingrich has outlined his vision for a “new” Contract with America centering on the economy and budget, government reform, ethics, and homeland security.

Gingrich believes there would be a lot of advantages in October to having a contract-centered campaign. He suggests that releasing a new contract in September would serve as a “powerful unifier” ahead of this fall’s midterm elections.

Gingrich, who helped organize the Contract with America in 1994 that helped the GOP take control of both the House and Senate, outlined 10 suggested areas for GOP leaders to focus on ahead of a potential new contract for America.

1. Jobs, jobs, jobs

2. Balance the budget

3. An American energy plan

4. Congressional appropriations reform

5. Litigation reform

6. Real health reform

7. Every child gets ahead

8. Protect religious liberty

9. Protect the rights of Americans, not terrorists

10. Make defending America “job one” for government

Gingrich has outlined a well-thought-out policy blueprint for GOP success in November 2010.

Republicans would be well advised to consider his counsel.

Marc Rotterman worked on the national campaign of Reagan for President in 1980, served on the presidential transition team in 1980, worked in the Reagan Administration from 1981-84, is a senior fellow at the John Locke Foundation, and a former member of the board of the American Conservative Union.