Of course, I’ve always said the GOP would be better off ditching the socons, or at the very least stop pandering to them so much.

A more libertarian philosophy (which is where I think the Party needs to go in order to survive and NOT become a permanent minority) would remove federal funding from all sorts of things, abortion among them, as well as removing most of the social programs that act as bait for some illegals so they self-deport and/or stop coming across the border – all without singling anyone out. On the contrary, these would be moves in keeping with our Constitution that would benefit everyone.

DRayRaven on January 31, 2013 at 11:32 AM

Another area where GOP politicians can finesse the issues is say that they oppose gay marriage at this time, but would also oppose any effort to enshrine opposoition to gay marriage in the Constitution. Even this level of reassurance to gays about GOP intent would win some voters, both straight and gay.

“The GOP is at risk of becoming a “permanent minority”

Or better/worse yet, Whigs.

tommyboy on January 31, 2013 at 12:37 PM

They’ll do it to anyone, not just politicians, even 22 year old women if it suits them, just ask Carrie Prejean.

The “tone” ascribed to conservatives is usually provided by the Legacy Media, which will usually take an ignorant (or out of context) comment and apply to all conservatives or Republicans, for all time

It doesn’t even take an “ignorant” comment. If a conservate politician were to say, “I just don’t believe in gay marriage” the media headline is “extreme conservative Senator blasts gays and seeks to impose theocratic government”.

visions on January 31, 2013 at 11:50 AM

You’re in Chicago too? Heh.

San Francisco.

The “tone” ascribed to conservatives is usually provided by the Legacy Media, which will usually take an ignorant (or out of context) comment and apply to all conservatives or Republicans, for all time. This is a problem.

That we have a problem with the media in all matters, not just gay issues, is undeniable. It’s also something that has been true for my entire lifetime. That is no excuse for not beating Rick Santorum to a figurative bloody pulp over comparing gays to child rapists. In that case, dear Brutus, our faults lay not with our media stars, but with ourselves…

Further, if gays that “get” economics vote against their own interests because of fringe issues then that’s their problem.

When it leads to collectivist victories, for no better reason than some of us believe that God calls on them to fag-bash, it becomes the problem of all free men, gay or straight…

THIS is the reason the GOP is losing ground.
Guys like this who are always so ready to attack his own party and bend and cave at every loss.

NeoKong on January 31, 2013 at 12:13 PM

Strange New Respect ™

“Shrillness and extreme language are driving away the voters who could help us build a majority.

You want to tell that to the liberals, Spanky?

Yet another windbag who came out of a coma yesterday. Where’s this clown been for the past decade?

Shrill and extreme language. *SNORK*

The world has changed beneath us,” Gilmore says. “Shrillness and extreme language are driving away the voters who could help us build a majority.

Nonsense. Nobdoy uses more “shrill” or “extreme” language than the Dems. Obama’s entire campaign was based on it.