Stopped reading right there, although I usually enjoy the Washington Times, and sincerely regret that I had to cancel my print subscription.
There is no "marriage" within the GOP, there is simply a slew of factions loosely held together. Held together by what, I really don't know. Personally, I favor the phrase "Big Top" to describe the situation (since that is a "big tent" with a circus inside)
I am not going to comment on the fact that Mrs. Palin is indeed the darling of a "certain element." My view on the former governor has already been documented on FR.
That "certain element" is the conservative movement.
Look at who votes and you will find that the non-social conservatives that vote conservative is small because the anti socon or non religious voters are almost all democrat voters, so when talking to a non social conservative that votes conservative, remember that he is kind of rare.