“The focus should be on bread-and-butter, kitchen-table, quality-of-life issues,” said Robert F. McDonnell, the Republican who was this month elected governor of Virginia, a seat that had been held by a Democrat, and whose victory is being held up as a formula for Republican reconstruction. “I think that really helped us. We ended up with a two-to-one margin with independent voters because of our focus on the economic problems.”

Mr. McDonnell’s mantra was echoed throughout the day, and it was easy to forget that this gathering was taking place at a secluded resort in the hills just outside of Austin, the city where former President George W. Bush and his chief political lieutenant, Karl Rove, began their effort to remake the Republican Party 10 years ago. There was little talk of the divisive social and political issues that Mr. Bush and Mr. Rove embraced as a way to attract independent and moderate Democratic voters and build a lasting Republican majority….

Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, a likely presidential candidate in 2012, said: “In my case, and I think it’s true in most areas that are politically competitive, what most people want to know about candidates and officeholders is this: ‘Will you keep my taxes reasonable, hopefully decreasing; can you help me get my kid to a school so he or she can get a decent education?’ ”