Was it the fiscal conservative-social liberal, the social conservatives or Christian conservatives.
Southern California had a 5-10% lower Republican turnout than 2000 or 2004. They would have put 3 or 4 Republicans in state office. Those Republicans had nothing to so with national politics, yet they were punished.
I suspect, but can't say for sure, the Christian Conservatives failed to show - due to the sudden and shocking knowledge that there are homosexuals masquerading as conservative Republicans and are important members of the Evangelical community.
Sitting out a national election because of hurt feelings is childish. There are other more important issues at stake than the tender feelings of a certain group of voters.
Speaking nationally, so much for a conservative Supreme Court that so many social conservatives were hoping for.
That would be my guess, too -- for the most part. Though there were some other segments, such as the paleos, who couldn't bear to vote GOP. Plus, there were some libertarian leaning Republicans who were put off by the Schiavo affair. But the Christian conservatives were probably the most "stay at homes".
Sitting out a national election because of hurt feelings is childish. There are other more important issues at stake than the tender feelings of a certain group of voters.
On the other hand, I'd wager that something like 80% of the Christian conservative vote actually voted. It was a relative sliver that responded as you suggest. But, of course, that sliver made all the difference. Which is exactly what the Foley affair was all about -- and it was the one pre-electoral event that the GOP never fully recovered from.
Speaking nationally, so much for a conservative Supreme Court that so many social conservatives were hoping for.
Ah, true. But, at the same time, perhaps something positive was accomplished. Perhaps, the GOP leadership will get it into their heads that the base wants them to do the job they were elected to do. And that rampant corruption, out-of-control spending and bloated government weren't on the agenda.
The Republican majority needed their butts kicked. And they got it, square in the keister. Hopefully, they can learn something from the experience.
It's up to us to make sure they do.