[ForeignDude]

I think this is a good idea.

Reaching out to these groups does not entail giving up your principles. Remember that Steele is the RNC Chairman; he doesn’t shape or determine the party platform. His job is to raise funds, and get people elected. So, he can say this without caving in on any of the major issues that keep the conservative-Republican coalition together. If you had a potential voter who was pro-choice, but agreed with all the other points of the party platform, would you spurn his vote? That’s not realistic. That’s a recipe for ideological strait-jacketing and fossilization.

Not everyone in the Republican Party is the same, nor does everyone support every single point of the party platform. If we limited ourselves to those individuals, we’d have been in the wilderness long ago.

[UCFRoadWarrior]

The problem with Steele’s pronouncement is that it will drive away social conservatives....who are the strongest voting bloc

You do not win elections by driving away your strongest voting bloc....you win on core principles

If you truly want to bring in non-traditional Republicans....you do that with a commitment for lower taxes and job creation. In 2010 and 2012 those will be key issues.

[LibLieSlayer]

Your opinion is what caused pubs to walk the wilderness for 45 years (minority status) and you will be walking the wilderness for another 45 years. Try to get enough gays and baby murderers to replace the majority of the base of your party... and try to do without all of the $$$ we Conservatives have given. I am through with your pathetic party and its satanic weaknesses. I am no longer a member of the National republican party.

LLS

[Will88]

Not everyone in the Republican Party is the same, nor does everyone support every single point of the party platform. If we limited ourselves to those individuals, we’d have been in the wilderness long ago.

The way to bring in more voters to the party is through RINOs, or near RINOs running in blue states and more liberal districts on platforms that can win there, much as Snowe and Collins do in Maine.

As bothersome as RINOs can be, a Yankee RINO is usually better than a Yankee, liberal Dem. But it would be beyond stupid to try and boost this "reaching out" business on a national level, or at the presidential candidate level (actually, that was just tried in 2008).

Many strategies can be used in liberal districts and states, but not on a national level, or we'll see more losses in presidential races.

We should not try to rid ourselves of RINOs as some suggest, but we should also not allow them to determine the national platform, or presidential nominee.