[Servant of the Cross]

One counterpoint that I would make to your comment, with similar due respect, is that the social conservatives, who are a significant part of the Tea Party crowds, are likewise not EXCLUDED from the party and told to take their issues elsewhere. They aren't hijacking anything but at the same time the coalition needs to include them fully.

The Reagan coalition was fiscal, national defense and yes, social conservatives coming together.

The libs can support each other's vices, how about we support each other's virtues?

[Mr. Silverback]

The libs can support each other's vices, how about we support each other's virtues?

Well said!

[counterpunch]

Let’s take Glenn Beck as the perfect Tea Party Patriot example.
Glenn is socially conservative in his own life, and very religious.
He is also NOT a registered Republican, and is a self-described libertarian.

And Glenn has done more to build the Tea Party movement than anybody else.His latest Washington rally, Restoring Honor, and the Black Robed Regiment was, and is, an outreach to social conservatives, to bring them into the Tea Party, and show them how Tea Party values are their values. But notice how this was done on the Tea Party’s terms. Social conservatives were given a way in, and a reason for joining, but not at the expense of transforming the Tea Party into a vehicle for social causes.