In many ways they are. Reagan went to that - foreign policy, taxation, federal spending. The latter seems to be rejected by the Bush GOP. It's very unfortunate.
But everyone points out the obvious. The issue is - abortion. Always has been. Always will be. For others, it might be the war, or the pocketbook and mortgage payments. But the real divide is - abortion, or now also the sundry 'gay rights'. That's how the 'base' break, I think, for either party. That's the clear choice.
And I think, ultimately, that's also how the 'undecided', or whoever decides in each state as the marginal group, will decide.
I do think there is a terrible similarity between the two parties when it comes to federal spending. Reagan was spot on. He was absolutely right. And GOP big-spending, these days, is absolutely wrong.
Gun owners can be single issue voters.