[billybudd]

If you abandon your principles to win a position, what makes you think that the position can be made to advance those principles? After all, why would anyone in their right mind promote principles which had nothing to do with getting them to where they are? If the Republicans see that abandoning conservatism through "deals" and "compromises" works in getting them votes, then that's what they will continue doing. I don't understand this mentality that Bush and Republicans are inherently, naturally conservative, and what they do and how it affects them is only superficial. If Bush will continue to have the support of conservatives even after behaving like a socialist, then why should he wish to change his behavior and risk damaging his approval rating? Bush is not a god - he is a politician! All of what I'm saying has been proven time and time again over the past 10 years.

[hchutch]

Then answer this question:
After Barry Goldwater lost in 1964, what was passed into law?

To have a CHANCE to advance your principles, you MUST win elections. That means you either have to have principles that a majority of people stand for, or you have to CONVINCE people to support you even though they might DISAGREE with some of those principles.

I'm all for standing for principles, but I'm also against political suicide charges.