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Most Californians want a fiscally responsible government that leaves the morality police out of their bedrooms. If we take advantage of this reality, we can relegate the Democrats here to long term minority status. Now THAT is what I would call a political earthquake.

Agreed. Of course, what will work in California and what will work in Texas will not always be the same, especially with respect to the sociocultural issues.

Strategically, the key point is this: a much more powerful, broad-based and lasting coalition can be built nationally around free-market/small-government principles, than around the conservative/traditional sociocultural agenda.

Personally, I'd rather see culture and state kept separate. Not only is the depoliticization of sociocultural issues good policy, in California it's smart politics. It's also a way out of the looming trap caused by demographic trends that seers of the left foresee befalling Republicans.

The sore point remains abortion. Politically, it's up to those who feel that abortion is murder to convince a majority of the electorate to agree with them (I'm neutral.) Politicians have to get elected--otherwise, they don't get paid, and have to pursue some other line of work. In order to get elected, they can't be anti-abortion when clear majorities are strongly pro-choice.

The only way to change things is to change the majority opinion. Do that, and the elected politicians will follow (or else different politicians will get elected!) Most politicians are followers of public opinion, instead of shapers of public opinion. Public opinion is the lever. Learn how to shift it.

"Personally, I'd rather see culture and state kept separate."

If you mean in part that employers no longer have to fear government regarding who they hire/fire... good luck. Most workers fear some unfair act by their boss, such as being replaced by some bumbling relative of their supervisor. They lack confidence in their own value to an employer.

Then again, I was in a job I've been held back from promotions due to prostitution, building extentions to the boss's house, and nepotism, even though I was a much better supervisor-- both tough and liked somewhat by employees. I might also have been held back due to race/gender, since all the promotions were handed to female/minorities for an extended period of time. It took me years to figure out what was going on. No law stopped my regional manager from doing all of that. It happens anyway.

The only way to change things is to change the majority opinion.

Well said, except you will find that many here simply believe that if the guy is charasmatic and persuasive enough he can sway the majority single handed by running 15 sec TV spots and having enough yard signs.

Great analyis. I liiked this statement.

Strategically, the key point is this: a much more powerful, broad-based and lasting coalition can be built nationally around free-market/small-government principles, than around the conservative/traditional sociocultural agenda.

Free/market/small-government principles cut across the lines of gender, socio-economic status, race and age. You get a following of people committed to a political philosophy, rather than a loosely allied coalition of disparate groups all vying for access to the public trough (which is what the Democrat Party is becoming).