[Rudder]

...you will realize the nation is not as conservative as FR

Good point. I wonder what percentage of the GOP is comprised of social conservatives? At any rate, the lessons of midterm 2006 seems to me that social conservatives alone cannot drive the GOP, let alone the entire electorate. Rinos and moderate GOP appear to me to be dissociating themselves from social conservatives. The point being is that the GOP is pulling in many directions at once. The solution, as I see it, is to go for the candidates that have a good showing of nationwide appeal.

The dems have their problems, but one them is not lack of energy (zeal, if you will) in their quest for the White House. Hilliary has a well-honed and well-financed campaign going with world wide name recognition.

Rudy and Mitt, from a social conservative point of view, have demonstrable shortcomings. Nevertheless, conservatives of all stripes do not have the luxury, in this particular election, to rigidly demand only the purist of the pure and still win the election.

[TommyDale]

"At any rate, the lessons of midterm 2006 seems to me that social conservatives alone cannot drive the GOP, let alone the entire electorate."

You might ask George W. Bush if they had any driving ability. The 2006 and 2008 might very well be bloodbaths, but only because the GOP leadership decided to turn their backs on the social conservatives. They will get what they deserve in return.

[babygene]

"social conservatives alone cannot drive the GOP"

So maybe the social conservatives need their own party... That would leave the republicans with about 10%.

[justshutupandtakeit]

"At any rate, the lessons of midterm 2006 seems to me that social conservatives alone cannot drive the GOP, let alone the entire electorate." This is the TRUTH which the extremists must deny at all costs and thus, they claim that the losses were because the party had become LESS conservative. Yet, they cannot explain how it was precisely the MOST conservative Republicans who were punished and thrown out of office. "Rinos and moderate GOP appear to me to be dissociating themselves from social conservatives." It is just the opposite as the Ultras refuse to accept the fact that in some parts of the Nation "RINOs" are the only Republicans who can get elected. Olympia Snow and Susan Collins are despised by the True Believers yet they are the FACE of Maine's GOP and the state's most popular politicians.

There is no subtlety or understanding in the Rule or Ruin philosophy.