But Iowa RNC member Tamara Scott, a religious conservative, said neither her views nor those of other conservative members were reflected in the report.

She also objected to party leaders “like former RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman flying into Iowa for closed-door meetings with a select group of Iowa Republicans to promote same-sex marriage.”

“It is this type of unfortunate confusion that causes our base to lose confidence; and we all know, a shaky foundation cannot support its own weight, let alone additional growth,” Mrs. Scott said in an email to fellow RNC members. “If we are seen as pandering our principles for the hope of some possible expansion to our party, it will be temporary, as we will see a split that will far outweigh any potential gain.”…

Disgruntled Republicans say the impression is that Mr. Priebus, as chairman, bowed to the interests of the party’s wealthy donors who tend to favor tax breaks, less regulation and more “corporate welfare” from the federal government and have little interest in defending traditional marriage, abortion, prayer in schools and other social and religious issues.