Social conservatives are the foot soldiers of the GOP. The GOP will have to start paying their campaign ‘volunteers’ just like the Democrats do if they tell their very most motivated people to leave.
It is painful to listen to Rush as he tries to twist himself into a human pretzel.
Wow.
The conservatives to the republicans are the same as the useful idiots and gibmedats are to democrats; a means to an end and nothing more.
There are a lot of people and opinions amongst those who vote for and identify with Republicans. That said, IMHO, the most consistent viewpoint of those who identify with the Republican party is that they see it as the party of individual freedom and individual rights. They see the democrats as the party of government control over our lives (tax us more, regulate us more, tell us how much money we’re allowed to keep, tell us what we can think and say etc.). This is, I think, the most important distinction between the parties, and the one that should be emphasized most. It’s also the distinction most likely to bring voters across the aisle to the Republican side.
Regarding social issues, I personally believe that there is a common theme there as well, but its also a general theme - and to me that’s good. You can’t get consensus amongst different denominations and even within denominations of Christianity, so it’s highly unlikely you are going to get total agreement on social issues within a political party.
That said, I think those who identify with the Republican party value religious freedom (e.g. the ability to say no to baking a cake you don’t want to bake, or to say you’re an atheist if that’s how you feel), protecting children from the loss of innocence, the sanctity of life (goes beyond just abortion), promoting a less vulgar society (especially public vulgarity when it’s ‘in your face’ and beyond your personal choice), personal responsibility - tempered by societal help when it is really needed, and a number of additional personal beliefs and values. There are a lot of issues that all here will not agree upon, but there is also a lot of common ground. If the ‘oust social conservatives’ goal is true (and Limbaugh probably has some good insight into this from conversations he’s had) this is a really bad choice by those running the GOP.
“Social conservatives are the foot soldiers of the GOP. The GOP will have to start paying their campaign ‘volunteers’ just like the Democrats do if they tell their very most motivated people to leave.”
I agree. Cruz’s role was as a construct, simulated conservative to keep conservatives on the Republican plantation. Similar to the role that Republican talktalktalk radio has had during the ascendancy of neocons.