I've not come across instapundit before, but I totally agree with the partial list of unforced errors.
Perhaps someone should start a thread that "social conservatives" cost Republicans the election.
I really think the 800-lb gorilla in this thread is the abortion issue. Of course, Libertarians and Republicans with lib leanings think, as I do, that the Feds have no role in this. That does NOT mean that Libertarians favor abortion. It is a state issue, since there are nothing in the Constitution that touches on abortion.
Blame is not helpful. What is helpful is taking responsibility and correcting mistakes. Many social conservatives on this site - just as the originator of this thread - try to push people away. Unless you agree with them 100% of the time - they want to get rid of you. That is not helpful to a political party. The GOP needs to be a party that the country wants to support not a party that is self-righteous and punitive. Conservatism is an important philosophy - but unless conservatism inculdes common decency and courtesey - the majority of Americans will not support it.
Iraq is probably the main reason the country is looking for change. Americans do not like war and Iraq seems to be an endless one. The GOP needs new ideas and more honesty, imo.