ndt wrote: "The defense of personal freedom in the GOP has atrophied."
If so, it hasn't atrophied any worse than the goal of social conservatism. I think you are overly pessimistic. From what I see, limited government, social conservatism, and personal liberty are still important issues to rank and file Republicans. The real threat comes from liberals who have absolutely no reservations about using government to achieve their goals. It's not like conservatives appointed the SCOTUS judges who recently voted to let your property be confiscated and handed over to another citizen.