I’m very interested in what people think is a practical way to move the conservative voting block forward in this environment. I think the liberal dream is to keep conservatives and independents well away from each other and maintain power for the next 25 years. But we have a dream too. That principled conservatism would have its seat in the marketplace of ideas - where we *know* it will win the day. That said, and this is being said in various ways, I think we should focus on 3 broad issues and address *all* of the rest only as the arise in specific contexts (i.e. we can hold our own on the social issues, whilst not focusing on them to the detriment of the movement.) The 3 issues I think we need to focus on and that we can get a majority of voters behind us on are:
—fiscal restraint/responsibility (including some kind of flat or fair tax)
—national security (constitutional role of government, plus most or all Americans agree to this.)
—sound immigration policy
I say we we call this new 3rd Party - the Tea Party...:)
Close to half of the independents ARE the Conservatives. Where do you think all the Republicans have gone?
(i.e. we can hold our own on the social issues, whilst not focusing on them to the detriment of the movement.)
Big mistake. I am a Reaganite, and as such, I know that the winning strategy is to stand on Conservative principles. ALL of them. To suggest that "social issues" are to the "detriment of the movement" is wholly and utterly false.
Social issues govern the votes of the largest segment of the Conservative movement. Do you expect them to "shut up and vote", while their issues are tamped down out of sight?
The issues you champion are good issues, don't get me wrong, but not any better as issues than the rest of the principled stands that Reagan Conservatives have promised to defend among the three pillars.