“They need to say what America will look like four years from now. There’s an opportunity to be hopeful, be specific and be positive,” said Republican strategist Matt Mackowiak. “Their knee-jerk reaction is always to hit back at Obama on the economic statistics, and in the short term they’ve maximized the benefits of that — they need to start talking about what he’ll do instead.”

Some Republican lawmakers noted that the GOP party platform is still in the works and predicted that once it is released at the convention in Tampa, Fla., the party will unify around Romney.

“As the campaign goes forward he’s going to have to come up with some more details, but I’m not concerned at this moment in time,” said one House Republican lawmaker. When asked when that needed to happen, he said “after the convention.”…

One strategist said Romney should flesh out his economic views, but avoid healthcare and immigration, two issues where he has boxed himself in with past statements and has faced “flip-flop” criticism.