"One reason we are becoming more effective is that we have largely eschewed social issues. We view fiscal irresponsibility as the greatest danger to America. And so nearly every local Tea Party embraces five basic principles: fiscal responsibility, personal responsibility, limited government, the rule of law, and national sovereignty. Of course, many Tea Party members are social conservatives, but economic issues remain the unifying principle." This is key. Holding to these five basic principals goes a long way toward a natural adherence to "social conservatism." When you can't force someone else to pay for your liberal proclivities, many of them will simply wither and die.
I agree. Social conservatism is very important to me, but I'm prepared to put those issues on the backburner for awhile and try to get traction on fiscal issues.
One thing I think people need to remember: The GOP establihsment is not our friend: they like to spend other people's money, just like the Democrats. In the Fall elections, if "Republicans" win a lot of races, that does not necessarily mean that the fiscal irresponsibility will end. We need the right kind of Republicans to win. Primary races will be very important.