The main reason why the GOP got its ass-kicked in the mid-terms is because they tried to be all paternalistic and moral.
Look, people just want their taxes cut and gov't limited, OK? I don't need politicians preaching and telling me how morally superior they are and I'm just some mere rube who's going to burn in Hell.
When you cut the taxes and limit government, the social issues will take care of themselves. Stop with the flag-burning crap, trying to outlaw abortion completely (it'll never happen) or worrying about two guys getting it on somewhere.
You're deluded.
That's right. People want freedom. They want politicians who will leave them alone. Most Americans are live and let live adherents. Those who want to control them - either from the far left or the far right - get shut down.