[WestVirginiaRebel]

Interesting point about Ike-he was a moderate, not liked by "The base" of his day, who won the nomination when Taft released his delegates to him.

As for the social conservatives, catering exclusively to them was part of the reason why the GOP lost this round.

[DaveyB]

...As for the social conservatives, catering exclusively to them was part of the reason why the GOP lost this round.

• Exclusively - Ha, did W make one anti-baby killing speech? NO Why does W cater to the log cabin queers so much if he is catering the social conservatives exclusively?
• They lost because:spending went through the roof, immigration reform was stone walled, W let the press run over his agenda with little opposition (AKA Leadership), no articulated vision for the future, and unlike Reagan W didn't make folks feel optimistic about our future.
• Oh, and Harriet Meyers went over like a lead balloon among the base.

In short they lost because they ran in 04 to the right but ruled to the left.