If you don't mind, I'll take a stab at that question.
In the broad, practical picture of real politics, the deck is currently stacked against us. All legal avenues to prohibit abortion at the federal level are practically closed off. The same is true at (most) state levels.
To open these legal avenues, a new mindset is needed. I'm talking about the electorate. We need a substantial majority of the voting public to agree that abortion is murder, the Consitution means what it says, and that life must be protected at all levels of government.
So how do we go about accomplishing this objective?
In my humble opinion, it's by one person at a time. That may sound like empty rhetoric, but here is what I mean: I have one vote this election cycle. Yet I have sway with my wife and my grown children. There are many ways I can emply my sway, but I've determined the best way to do so is by example. In other words, I truly believe that the best way to influence your family and loved ones is by example. Leadership begins by example.
Thus, when I explain to my family why the issue of life is so important to me -- and why I can't vote for the duplicitous Romney -- they understand implicitly. If I were to compromise or collaborate on this issue, I truly believe that I would diminish my role as a husband and father (and grandfather). I would still be leading by example, but my example would be that compromise, collaboration, and expediency trump principle. I can't do it. I've failed too many times morally on a huge number of issues. I don't want to fail anymore. I won't compromise anymore. I will lead by example. If others follow me or not, I can't control that.
But I will *try* to lead by example.
And now to alleviate this serious moment, here's a humorous thought: What if all of us did the same?
Congratulations on a magnificent post. What some so-called ABOs fail to understand is that there are other "As" than Romney. If we as conservatives supported one, we'd make a difference.
In other words, if we stopped laughing and started voting and advocating, what would happen?
I agree with you, and am of the opinion that the culture war must be won in the culture, and before that one must prevail in spiritual warfare.
The board is about to be rearranged, and to what pattern we really do not know. But we do know what we are supposed to do.
Incidentally, I see that younger people usually get it. Even those young people who are ‘pro-choice’ usually respect the pro-life position. Not always, but usually.