[Spiff]

From the comments I've read it appears that he's steering well clear of social issues, while waving the bloody shirt to tatters.

Good analysis.

[Mark-in-Kentucky]

From the comments I've read it appears that he's steering well clear of social issues, while waving the bloody shirt to tatters.

Honestly, I wish every politician would steer well clear of social issues. Social conservatism starts at the bottom up—in your home, church and community—not from the top down with the government. Politicians who actively push a socially conservative agenda do little more than preach at the choir while pissing off everyone else; the same with social liberals. Hearts and minds aren't won over to the conservative cause by any elected politician.

What I look for in my elected officials is smaller government economic conservatism and a belief in a strong national defense. These are proper roles for the government, and something politicians can actually have a true effect on.