[qam1]

I'm not saying social conservatism isn't important. It is. But shouldn't our first test of a candidate be to verify that they are a solid fiscal conservative? Fiscal conservatism shouldn't be a nice bonus, it should be a non-negotiable principle of the Republican Party along with promoting self-reliance, individual freedom and local governance wherever possible.

The reason Republicans lost in 2006 and 2008 is because we failed to live up to our own principles of fiscal conservatism and federalism. On this much, McCain was spot on. Instead of reining in government spending, we added a new entitlement and went on a spending binge. George W. Bush is a fine social conservative and did an adequate job on national security (after listening to McCain on the surge), but was a trainwreck as a fiscal conservative. When voters wanted the GOP to rein in spending, they were instead trying to rein in Terri Schiavo's husband.

100% correct!!!!!!

Rush is only partly right when he says "Conservatism wins everytime it's tried"

Fiscal yes it's true, but Social Conservatism (a.k.a. Christian Socialism) on the other hand repels

Case in point, Embryonic Research, which was on the ballot in Missouri and New Jersey

In 2006 In Conservative Missouri it was fought as a moral issue yet it still passed by a large margin,

Yet in 2007 in Ultra Liberal New Jersey it was fought as a fiscal issue and ended up being soundly defeated.

Fiscal should come 1st, don't like abortion, don't have one, don't like what's on TV, DOn't watch. All this should be a hearts and mind issue not a federal one.

Meanwhile if you don't like the spending on a particular program, try not paying your taxes, see what happens.

[Ol' Sparky]

Fiscal yes it's true, but Social Conservatism (a.k.a. Christian Socialism) on the other hand repels Case in point, Embryonic Research, which was on the ballot in Missouri and New Jersey

Um, McCain won Missouri even in this election. A strongly pro-life and popular Missouri governor Matt Blunt is finishing out his term after willing deciding to step down.

And fiscal conservatism doesn't win in New Jersey.

Social conservatism is absolutely essential to winning in the south and Bible-belt. Democrats are picking up multiple seats by running socially conservative candidates there.

In a Presidential race, the only way Republicans are going to win the hardcore blue states is if the economy is doing poorly, in which case a Republican would win regardless of his or her socially conservative stance.

So, your points here are utter BS.

[Ol' Sparky]

And, one more thing. As far as New Jersey goes, two of the few House members to win there are vehemently pro-life, including Chris Smith, who is probably more socially conservative than economically conservative.

There goes your theory again.

[Diamond]

Fiscal should come 1st, don't like abortion, don't have one, don't like what's on TV, DOn't watch. All this should be a hearts and mind issue not a federal one.

Don't like slavery? Don't own one.

Anyone who does not understand or rejects the primary purpose of law in the first place does not deserve to be entrusted with any government power. Those who betray the souls of the innocent over money will not stop at unleasing the same anarchy on you, too. You might be harder to kill right now than a preborn baby, but those wolves will inevitably turn their sights on you.

Cordially,

[SnakeDoctor]

>> Fiscal should come 1st, don’t like abortion, don’t have one, don’t like what’s on TV, DOn’t watch. All this should be a hearts and mind issue not a federal one.

That would be an untenable position for those that consider abortion the hostile taking of an innocent life. “Don’t like murder, don’t commit one” is not a logical position.

Generally speaking, the protection of innocent life is a legitimate government function. In this case, it may be a Federal government function (if 5th and 14th Amendments give right to life) or a State government function (even if 5th and 14th don’t, 10th gives the right of States to regulate that which is not addressed) — but it is nonetheless a legitimate function of government to ban abortions.

H

[Mr Rogers]

Almost without exception, social conservatives ALSO support limited government and limited spending.

Fiscal conservatives FREQUENTLY refuse to vote for a social conservative.

Why do you find it so distressing to support both sides of conservatism?

[ctdonath2]

don't like abortion, don't have one

I also don't have to associate with those who have, or advocate, abortions.

If you support murdering children as a form of retroactive birth control, your stance on pretty much anything else is largely irrelevant. Your view of taxation is kinda pointless if you don't have a problem with killing future taxpayers out of convenience.