That's part of the challenge for the 32 Republican governors who attended the conference: to cultivate the grass roots back home, roots that could grow into votes for a GOP White House victory years from now.

CNN: GOP Governors Confront Gender Gap

His comments came as the prime minister faces potentially damaging revolts from unions and grass roots Labour members at the party's annual conference next week.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Politics | Follow Thatcher example, Blair told

His speech at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) is notable as many of the grass-roots activists were sceptical of his conservative credentials in the run-up to the presidential election.

BBC: Mitt Romney calls for optimism in return speech