Former Republican legislative leader Mark Hillman once again shows why he deserves a leading position in Colorado’s GOP, by speaking reason to the conservative coalition. It’s a must-read from beginning to end, but here’s the key thought:
If the goal is winning elections, rather than purging membership rolls at the country club, throwing social conservatives under the bus is a catastrophically bad idea.
I have made very similar points in posts here and here. But Mark Hillman brings forward more evidence to make an even clearer case. He concludes by reminding thoughtful readers:
Most social conservatives don’t care what goes on in someone else’s bedroom but take to the ramparts when those matters move to a courthouse or seek taxpayer funding. In most cases, conservatives didn’t seek out these battles until liberal activists and judges ignited them.
Social moderates who say they just want government to “stay out of it†will soon be tested. Will they vociferously oppose restrictions on religious speech, taxpayer funding of abortion, and federal legislation to pre-empt state laws on abortion and marriage?
Standing on principle is commendable, but beating each other over the head with our differences is a fool’s sport. In the coming months, Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid will remind us all too clearly that the principles which unite us are far greater than those that divide us.
Debates are great, in the right spirit, especially as attempts to belittle and purge others are eschewed. Let’s work on building the common ties. If you want to do more than talk about it, may I recommend you go here to sign up and get involved.
“Debates are great, in the right spirit, especially as attempts to belittle and purge others are eschewed. Let’s work on building the common ties. If you want to do more than talk about it, may I recommend you go here to sign up and get involved.”
Tell me, Ben: is the goal here the revitalization of the GOP or the revitalization of conservatism? Is it winning elections or persuading America to go back to the fork in the read. Seems to me, based on what you’ve posted here, to be the former, in answer to both questions.
Which then prompts the question: why should conservatives be interested?
(Hope that one was coherent enough for you. Eagerly awaiting your answer.)
That’s “road”, not “read”.