[Texasforever]

That was the "compromise" that led Reagan to institute the "big tent" philosophy. Conservatives alone were not capable of forming a governing majority. Pre-Reagan republicans considered southern democrats and religious conservatives not of the "right" stock". Moderates had no place to go other than the Democrats and independents were evenly split.

[budwiesest]

That was the "compromise" that led Reagan to institute the "big tent" philosophy.

Again, thanks for your historical perspective. Might 'compromise' be once again at the root of today's conservatives' problems? Should a conservative's tent be lined with liberal camel noses?

Tell you what, after 8 yrs. of Clinton it would not be very practical to push a very conservative agenda. It would not seem profitable at the voting booth to suddenly exclude those who have been on the receiving end of govt. handouts this early in the game. I understand inertia and how objects at rest tend to want to stay that way.

Whatbothersme is how the bully pulpit is so under utilized in regard to the way citzens view their relationship to their government. "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your county" would be very difficult in this age of medicare funded prescription medicine, for example. I have to endure advertisements from two local republicans touting just such madness. Oh well, let's be patient, things will get better. Time heals all things.