"We need a leader people can rally around, " said Mark Stern, a GOP township committeeman from DuPage County.

NPR: Ill. GOP Chairman Survives Latest Ouster Attempt

The other contenders not considered to be in the top tier are Ohio GOP Chairman Bob Bennett, Michigan RNC committeeman Chuck Yob, former RNC Co-chairman Jeanie Austin and California GOP Chairman John Herrington.

CNN: Race To Succeed Barbour Heats Up

Brady and State Central Committeeman Mike Bigger, who's heading up the Illinois analysis, also said the state party needs to upgrade its database of voter information and improve communication and mentoring opportunities within the party.

NPR: Ill. GOP Chairman Survives Latest Ouster Attempt

Totaling nearly 100 pages, the Republican National Committee's Growth and Opportunity Project is the product of thousands of interviews and of focus groups conducted by a team that included former Bush White House spokesman Ari Fleischer, Mississippi RNC committeeman Henry Barbour and longtime Florida campaign operative Sally Bradshaw.

WSJ: RNC Issues Scathing Analysis of GOP

" Republican sources tell CNN's "Inside Politics" that outgoing New Hampshire Gov. Steve Merrill, RNC General Counsel David Norcross, Colorado RNC committeeman Jim Nicholson and Texas GOP Chairman Tom Pauken are all vying to come in on top in the first ballot and that about "half of the committee is undecided.

CNN: Race To Succeed Barbour Heats Up