[Conservativegreatgrandma]

We know that RINOs won't win without conservatives. Is the reverse true? So far, Santorum, Talent, and now Hoffman suggest you need to have a lot going for you besides "pure conservatism" to win.

Absolutely, the reverse is true. There is no question about it.

Yesterday Michael Medved laid it out. He said that even though most people claim to be conservatives there is not one single state in the whole US that can win an election with only conservative votes.

This does not mean conservatives have to move to the left to win elections. They must show moderates how it is to their advantage to vote for the conservative.

It's nice to say that we want no more RINOs but that will only work if you're willing to concede all future elections to Democrats.

Sorry, folks, these are facts. It's time for rational thought and analysis.

[Jabba the Nutt]

"He said that even though most people claim to be conservatives there is not one single state in the whole US that can win an election with only conservative votes."

"most people" do not claim to be conservatives, that number is 40%. If can start at 40% and get one-half of self-described moderates, you win.

A liberal starts with 20% and needs all of the moderates to get to 50%. What's your preferable starting point?

I like Medved, but he has lousy political instincts. He was a McCain supporter way back into and before the primaries. How'd that work out?

[browardchad]

It's nice to say that we want no more RINOs but that will only work if you're willing to concede all future elections to Democrats.

It depends on the RINO, I think. Scozzafasa was so far to the left that I can see any conservative -- social and/or fiscal not voting for her. There's a good chance Hoffman might have split the vote and the Dem would have won anyhow.

That said, I agree that 100% purity isn't going to work -- some candidates will not measure up to all litmus tests, but will still be much better than the Dem.

But this candidate was nothing short of a disaster for the GOP -- her selection did nothing but reinforce the idea that the party insiders have all but given up on supporting any conservative principles, never mind some.

Going forward, I hope she was an aberration, rather than the norm, but I'm not counting on it.

[over3Owithabrain]

Absolutely, the reverse is true. There is no question about it. Yesterday Michael Medved laid it out. He said that even though most people claim to be conservatives there is not one single state in the whole US that can win an election with only conservative votes. This does not mean conservatives have to move to the left to win elections. They must show moderates how it is to their advantage to vote for the conservative. It's nice to say that we want no more RINOs but that will only work if you're willing to concede all future elections to Democrats. Sorry, folks, these are facts. It's time for rational thought and analysis.

Absolutely! Great points. Conservatives claiming victory while a Democrat wins a traditionally GOP seat is off-putting. The fact is moderates and independents are more than ready to vote against the Democrats right now. They are fed up too. But it's a mistake to overshoot and assume that means conservative victories.