Sentis, I'm a right-wing, conservative extremist to use the words of the MSM. I'm not religious. In fact, I'm a non- practicing Cathoilic who was raised in N.Y. I would like to understand your claim that the Republicans can't win unless the Religious Right shuts up and stops using a LItmus test.
My theory is that the Republicans can't win without them. Until the Moral Majority got involved, the Dems considered the Congress their domain, and they were right. Without religious conservatives, we wouldn't hold the house or senate. The White House tends to flip often.
Bringing in apethetic independents by being dem lite will not, imo, win the Republicans seats consistently. Those people don't care enough to even know which party they belong in.
Ignoring the religious conservatives, who are the backbone of the party, will hasten the demise of the Republican party. Maybe where you are, being a Rockefeller Republlican is o.k., but in the south and Midwest it isn't enough. Principals are not something people toss aside just to win a campaign. What you get then is an incumbent who doesn't share your core values. Might as well vote dem, if that's what you want.
Winning for the sake of winning, will not bring the change religious conservatives want. For the RINO to throw them a couple of bones will not hurt the RINO. Shunning Christian Conservatives from the table absolutely will. Oh, and Primaries are the time to find the most acceptable candidate to the voter. In the general, it's time to vote for the lesser of two evils. So, yes now is the time for Christion conservatives to voice their opinions. This voicing also let's the candidates know what positions they must be willing to take if they want those votes.
"The minor feuding is getting boring for the rest of us still reading this thread."
You're right. Im getting bored too. I hope that Sentis will be flamed to no end in this thread, as he deserves it. I'll let others pick up the ball and run with it at this point, debating this idiot is pointless.
I have no wish to feud. I am merely putting on a defense to what could be seen as a tantrum on Steller's part.
To answer your question
We as conservatives are not immune to a major Democrat win in 2008. In fact Hillery could win by hold all the blue states (which she will) and winning one red state which will be Florida. Lets not fool ourselves into believing that the religious right is responsible for our control of the white house and congress. it isn't. The Republicans have had that vote ever since the Democrats flip flopped over to pandering minorities in the late 60's.
Since Reagan Republicans have been winning not on values but on ideas. When Republicans have stuck to a lower taxes, strong Military, slow social change agenda they tend to win. When the Democrats are able to frame the debate or win Southern voters over by pretending to be fake moderates they win.
The next election will be different. We came very close to losing this time. We can be beat, we can easily be beat if we let ourselves fall into the trap that this country cares about religion. It doesn't in fact the more overly religious you are the less chance you have. Last election the Democrats made a huge mistake they nominated a treasonous bastard. He still came close to winning why? because people don't actually trust Bush. His overt religious nature is unsettling to alot of Americans. If we nominate Guliani we will win NY, we will win PA this will make up for the loss we will suffer in Fl. Well he could even possibly win Fl (thats not a sure thing). Without Guliani we will lose Fl.
Now if the Religious Right will just tone down there rhetoric for a few years we can win and win big. If not and they create a religious litmus test for Republicans we will lose and lose big.
Thats my opinion but I think it is valid.