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"This other stuff starts to sound like RINO-speak."

Only to those who do not understand real conservatism. Our vision of limited government rests partially on the notion that there is a natural human moral sentiment for benevolence. This was the theme behind Adam Smith's "The Theory of Moral Sentiments". Smith was a moral philosopher and this was his main work even though he became better known for his economic treatise on the Wealth of Nations. The notion of a natural sentiment for benevolence was the driving force behind the "invisible hand". Natural empathy among individuals and voluntary associations destroys the case for a welfare state. Liberals have co-opted these notions and conservatives do not understand them well enough to reclaim them. Bachmann is onto something that few conservative see.

You have to walk that line very carefully and be VERY clear about what you (Bachmann) means. Obama's personal coldness doesn't matter (except to his own popularity I hope).

But we need to keep our eye on the ball and our message clear. It is LIMITED, DECENTRALIZED republican government that allows the freedom and wealth to do what people do best - live their lives and privately help others do so as well. AND NOT because government tells you too. It doesn't matter how personally "warm" the POTUS is. That was Bush's thing - "compassionate conservatism."

Things get very confused when politicians start claiming a need for "empathy" -that's how the liberal's make headway. The candidate must communicate that his/her policies are the most compassionate/empathetic thing they could have. We don't need "personal empathy" from government.