The Republican National Committee hosted state party representatives from across the country last week in preparation for the 2012 presidential race.

According to a knowledgeable source, staffers from 26 state Republican parties descended on GOP headquarters for a “communications college,” part of an effort by the RNC to sync messaging and efforts to “bracket” President Barack Obama next year between the national and state-based parties.

The 2012 crash course included instruction by representatives from Facebook, Twitter and the digital world on how to maximize social media outreach; a polling presentation on how to effectively message against the president; on-camera media training; and an individualized communications and bracketing plan to take back to their states.