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I have not read enough of your articles to make specific comments. I just glanced at the linked article and saw this comment:

"On the other hand, the art of politics is in large measure the art of controlling which issues people discuss. The candidate should not try to hide his beliefs, but he certainly should not emphasize those beliefs which will not resonate well with his constituency."

My general observation is that you appear to be more focused on specific issues. In general our approach is focused on bringing the US back within the Constitution. We believe that recruiting and electing leaders commited to the Constitution is the winning electoral approach. If the elected leaders are true to their committments to the Constituion, then the separate issues will get sorted out by our elected officials.

Socialism, for example is unconstitutional, and we believe that with the single exception of Social Security, that all forms of socialism should be ended as quickly as the laws should be changed. We believe that Social Security is only slightly different because a case can be made that people who have paid into SS for years have an implied contract to receive benefits. We believe that some form of the Cato plan to completely privatize SS is both the conservative and the right way to end SS.

I would suggest that you read the article, rather than quote a statement of obvious common sense, out of context. The article advises any candidate to read both the Constitution and Declaration of Independence in context--not by taking snatches that suit a preconceived attitude out of context, as is the usual error in today's discussions.

The first Chapter in the Conservative Debate Handbook, at my web site, is a "Constitutional Overview," which points out some of the obvious errors in today's popular misconceptions. The issue that I am most concerned with has always been bringing the Federal Government back within the confines of the Constitution.

The essay, however, is what it purports to be "Tactical Tips For Conservative Candidates." It is not written to convince the ignorant, who like the present dependence on Government, but to help Conservatives defeat candidates who hold that view in the coming Primaries. (Tactical Tips.)

William Flax

I will say it again and I think it bears repeating. Conservatism is a movement. It is not a political party. The Republican party, as with any party is simply a vessel, an instrument or medium through which conservatives operate. Eventually all parties are taken over by apparatchiks (a useful soviet term) whose only interest is the preservation of the institution rather than the promotion of an ideology. The problem is faced by the left in terms of the Democratic party.

When conservatives come to terms with the fact that their loyalty is to a movement and NOT to a party. The sooner they will stop being disappointed with the RINOs that run the party and replace them with ideologues.

Hoping in vain that the RNC and beltway leadership will change for the better is like expecting a prostitute to turn into a virgin.