If by core GOP principles, you mean fiscal conservatism, respect for NATO and the UN (as demonstrated by Bush Sr.), family values, and heavy investment in science and technology, then yes, I agree. The Republicans need to get back to those core principles asap. Bush Jr's departure from those killed him with moderate Republicans like me.
But if you think the GOP can return to power based solely on a focus on anti-gay and anti-abortion policies, when what most Americans want is a focus on fiscal conservatism and good management of the economy, then you have another think coming. You and I may have grown up in an era where it was de rigeur to think marriage should be between a man and a woman and if you were Christian it would be an impossibility to vote for anyone who believed in abortion, but the generation of my kids doesn't think that way at all. I have first hand experience in watching that generation completely repudiate the GOP.
I've recently come to the conclusion, thanks in large part to my kids changing my mind on this, that our government has no right to say a gay couple can't get a civil union and all the rights that come with it. Now a Catholic Church should be able to say they won't marry a gay couple, because that is what they believe in, but the state should stay out of religion, pure and simple. As far as abortion goes, I won't change my mind on that. I still think it is wrong and we should legislate against it, but then again, when I balance the wrongs perpetrated by Bush Jr and the massive amount of death his policies have created, I have to say it's more important to vote for a pro-abortion candidate like Obama, since he'll bring the Iraq war to a close and refocus on the real priority which is Bin Laden.
Anyway, the GOP has a long way to go before they come back to power. They have to figure out how to connect with young people, hispanics, and blacks. Those are the new majority and the GOP has alienated them all. |
