[ScottinVA]

But he is saying extremely important issues should not be focused on.

Entirely understandable, but this country has moved inexorably leftward on social issues. A candidate can and should act according to conservative values once in office, but putting the focus on social issues won't win you an election, otherwise President Rick Santorum would be ramping up for reelection.

[noiseman]

So essentially you are saying that the only time you would be willing to fight for something is when you essentially already have it? That you will simply give up if the going gets too tough? How can you consider yourself a conservative (presuming that you do)?

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

To me, that is surrender. What the left has won they have won unfairly and unconstitutionally. Who will be the voice for what is right and also Constitutional.

I think it is a chicken position. I respect Cruz on these issues. He has guts. I don’t agree with him on everything, but the so-called social issues are #1 for me. They are #1 #2 #3 #4 #5......they are everything to me. What is money without religious freedom? What is money if you are forced to violate your own conscience and disobey God? What is money if you are forced to fund the murder of babies? What is money if you are forced to be silent about your faith, about morality, about things you care deeply about?

[Heart-Rest]

"A candidate can and should act according to conservative values once in office, but putting the focus on social issues won't win you an election, otherwise President Rick Santorum would be ramping up for reelection. "
==========================================================================================================

You are overlooking one of the biggest factors for many voters, regarding Rick Santorum's eventual abject failure in 2012.  This video clip of Santorum in the past endorsing liberal Arlen Specter over a more conservative opponent, is why I did not (and would not) vote for Santorum, and I am not the only voter who holds that view.

If you remember, Arlen Specter was pro-abortion, and a lefty Republicrat, who later completely switched to the demoncrap party .

(As the old saying goes, actions always speak louder than words, and Santorum's actions certainly did so in the past, and that is what doomed his 2012 candidacy.)