[goldstategop]

I agree. Conservatives can win not by sacrificing their message but by skillfully shaping it to attract those who don't agree with us on everything. Most Californians want a fiscally responsible government that leaves the morality police out of their bedrooms. If we take advantage of this reality, we can relegate the Democrats here to long term minority status. Now THAT is what I would call a political earthquake.

[Tempest]

I've actualy always thought that the conservative position that wishes to legislate sexual behaviour amongest consenting adults to be rather contradictory to a true conservative value.

I mean isn't one of the main staples of conservatism to remove goverment out of our personal lives?!

[WaterDragon]

I take back every nasty thing I ever thought about Californians. They certainly proved themselves real leaders today!

[HitmanLV]

Indeed, and we should not blow this one!

[sourcery]

Most Californians want a fiscally responsible government that leaves the morality police out of their bedrooms. If we take advantage of this reality, we can relegate the Democrats here to long term minority status. Now THAT is what I would call a political earthquake.

Agreed. Of course, what will work in California and what will work in Texas will not always be the same, especially with respect to the sociocultural issues.

Strategically, the key point is this: a much more powerful, broad-based and lasting coalition can be built nationally around free-market/small-government principles, than around the conservative/traditional sociocultural agenda.

Personally, I'd rather see culture and state kept separate. Not only is the depoliticization of sociocultural issues good policy, in California it's smart politics. It's also a way out of the looming trap caused by demographic trends that seers of the left foresee befalling Republicans.

The sore point remains abortion. Politically, it's up to those who feel that abortion is murder to convince a majority of the electorate to agree with them (I'm neutral.) Politicians have to get elected--otherwise, they don't get paid, and have to pursue some other line of work. In order to get elected, they can't be anti-abortion when clear majorities are strongly pro-choice.

The only way to change things is to change the majority opinion. Do that, and the elected politicians will follow (or else different politicians will get elected!) Most politicians are followers of public opinion, instead of shapers of public opinion. Public opinion is the lever. Learn how to shift it.

[q_an_a]

from his mouth to...