I really think the whole electorate has been moved left by a constant barrage of liberal propoganda which goes largely unanswered. Republicans usually apologetically claim they are trying to accomplish the same things as liberals.
You can cite statistics demonstrating that Americans say they are conservative, but my friends, in the America of not long ago the likes of Al Gore and John Kerry would have fared the same as George McGovern.
Yes, the Republicans are seen as Democrat Lite. So why not vote for the genuine article? The only thing that makes the GOP competitive are cultural as opposed to economic issues. And there are wealthy people who look down on socially conservative people as a bunch of Elmer Gantry country rednecks.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus