I don't think the GOP has to drop the idea of social conservatism. depends on your idea of what constitutes their social conservative agenda.
I just think, there is a time when you look at the trends and see where things are going, one must adapt. They're gonna need to stop blocking gay marriage just because it offends their moral values, stop trotting out abortion every election cycle (which literally hijacks and alienates any moderate or liberal women who are willing to listen), and putting their foot in their mouths when the topic of rape gets involved.
I do believe you can take a conservative approach to abortion that doesn't involve trying to banning whether by outright by law or defacto.
When George W. Bush fought his own party on the issue of illegal immigration, saying "family values don't stop at the Rio Grande" he lost. and while a lot of guys and gals here don't like GWB - and neither do i. I think he was right in this case. Republicans and Conservatives are so incensed and focused on the word 'illegal', they they overstep their bounds and forget the human element involved. The conservative white base that is predominent for the Republicans almost across the board absolutely REFUSE to compromise on the issue of illegal immigration and what to do with those who are currently here.
let me break it down, for the first time Hispanics/Latinos who can vote made it to double digits, they are the fastest growing minority and will likely surprass the African American population, in this election 71% of them voted Obama.
Even right-wing demigod "The Gipper" Ronald Reagan, forgave and legalize illegal immigrants in the US.
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I was listening to CNN the whole night, one of the women on the show was saying that about 2 million voters die every year, most of whom elderly, most of whom white, and most of whom Republican voters. That makes some 8-10 million voters are dead, most of whom being those demographics.
you break it down again, the youth and young adults voted for Obama, the elderly and late middle aged voted Romney. again, where do you think the trend is going? especially when the youth (even good number of the conservative youth) are so different then the elderly voters.
I don't think CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, and other news sources (websites and blogs) are being unfair when they say, the Republicans need to re-tool their platform.
Even when you look at the US map, look at the number of counties that voted blue this election even in states that Romney won big in. and i don't think it's all based on a strong candidate like Clinton was in 1992 and 1996. Remember this, in 1996, 88% of the voters were white. in 2012, 72% of the voters were white. that's a 16% drop in 16 years. Romney only won the white demographic in this election, he ran on it to drive up the vote - it isn't enough anymore.
I think the ground is shifting beneath the Republicans feet and some of them don't want to believe it.
P.S.
and for those crying racism for playing identity politics, here's the raw deal. These different demographics, whites, blacks, hispanics, asians, women, men, and lgbt - they all have major issues that they are concerned with, as well as many overlapping ones. but if your party opts to support a few or only one to the exclusion of all others, then have fun sitting high atop your mole hill.
Also I think it might be time to stop harping on tax cuts! tax cuts! tax cuts!
Seriously Republicans, is there no other magic phrase you guys love to trot out in EVERY election?
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