Tea Party pushes GOP to abandon "Culture Wars"; focus on deficit.

Nathan Poe · Nov 16, 2010

I find myself agreeing with the Tea Party on this one...

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Electi...ush-GOP-to-quit-culture-wars-focus-on-deficit

Representatives of the loosely organized tea party movement urged GOP leaders in a letter released Monday to abandon their fronts in the culture wars – issues such as gay marriage, school prayer, and abortion – and instead focus their new electoral power on individual liberties and "economic freedoms.". . .

But the push to quit the culture wars is already meeting resistance from mainstream Republicans, who worry about a rebellion from social conservatives if the party refrains from taking stands on moral issues.
"If the Tea Party wants to remain true to its limited government principles, then it strikes me that the default position would be less government and more personal freedom, whether the issue being dealt with involves economics or so-called 'social issues,' " writes Doug Mataconis on the Outside the Beltway blog. "At some point this unnatural split in the GOP's view on freedom will have to be reconciled."

Bravo for them -- a pity it's going to cost them their GOP support.

Thoughts?

Spirit Compass · Nov 16, 2010

Nathan Poe said:
Bravo for them -- a pity it's going to cost them their GOP support.

Thoughts?

"But the push to quit the culture wars is already meeting resistance from mainstream Republicans, who worry about a rebellion from social conservatives if the party refrains from taking stands on moral issues."

The divisive elections strategy of the GOP would be severely threatened, since the tactics of RNC campaigns is to impugn and demean the GOP opponent, typically on 'higher moral ground' exclusivity.

This overt declaration by the Tea Party will cause stormy public confrontations, and we should find out the true characters and motives of Boehner and McConnell from this.

Gishin · Nov 16, 2010

I never had a problem with fiscal conservatism. It's the fact it's wrapped in this iron shell of "traditional values" forged by the religious right that there is no place in it for the likes of me.

Grizzly · Nov 16, 2010

Gishin said:
I never had a problem with fiscal conservatism. It's the fact it's wrapped in this iron shell of "traditional values" forged by the religious right that there is no place in it for the likes of me.

I am with you on this one. I have always had some libertarian leanings. But I get nauseous when fiscal libertarianism is wrapped in social authoritarianism. I want small government...for me! Big government for everyone else.

BoltNut · Nov 16, 2010

I am personally glad that Tea Party members have decided to do this. It shows that they are trying to stick to their original platform of smaller government. Social issues such as gay marriage, abortion, etc. are things that should be considered of lesser importance. There are "bigger fish to fry" than topics such as these that only serve to be more divisive. I would think that it would do more to unify the party. The voters who seek Social changes like this will not move away from Republicans and toward the Democrats. They will only realize that the issue of the economy must take center stage right now. Those who tend to be toward "center" will also see this as a positive thing.

I see it as a good thing, too.

Grizzly · Nov 16, 2010

BoltNut said:
I am personally glad that Tea Party members have decided to do this. It shows that they are trying to stick to their original platform of smaller government. Social issues such as gay marriage, abortion, etc. are things that should be considered of lesser importance. There are "bigger fish to fry" than topics such as these that only serve to be more divisive. I would think that it would do more to unify the party. The voters who seek Social changes like this will not move away from Republicans and toward the Democrats. They will only realize that the issue of the economy must take center stage right now. Those who tend to be toward "center" will also see this as a positive thing.

I see it as a good thing, too.

While I certainly agree that the social conservatives won't go to the democratic side, but the GOP may be worried that they may simply become disenfranchised or less motivated to get to the polls. They are walking a tightrope and are hopeful to keep everyone together.

MichaelHelp · Nov 16, 2010

Does this mean the entire

"Barack Obama is a secret Kenyan who wants to give your tax dollars to illegal immigrants so they can learn evolution to become doctors so they will make your children homosexual"

line will stop?

blueapplepaste · Nov 16, 2010

Well the GOP screams about social issues, but hasn't done a single thing about them. I'm surprised their supporters keep thinking they will. Abortion is still legal, school prayer is still illegal, and its only a matter of time before gays get married.

I agree with the Tea Party. We have bigger issues on our plate as a country right now. Whether two gay guys get married won't affect me or anyone else one single bit. If our government continues reckless spending, that will affect all of us.

Though I probably disagree with the Tea Party how to deal with that, I do commend them for this.

BoltNut · Nov 16, 2010

Grizzly said:
While I certainly agree that the social conservatives won't go to the democratic side, but the GOP may be worried that they may simply become disenfranchised or less motivated to get to the polls. They are walking a tightrope and are hopeful to keep everyone together.

I would imagine that there are those so "one issue" oriented that this could apply. I just feel that it would be a very small minority. Many of the "social conservatives" are in the same group as the "small government" people, already. What is getting most people to the polls right now is the economy, not social issues. Since most of the "hot-button" social issues are not legislated, but are mainly legal decisions, it makes more sense to consider the one appointing the judges. These social issues won't necessarily be abandoned, they just shouldn't be high on the priority list right now. I don't think it will be much of a "tightrope", only a shift in focus.

I could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time that has happened.

oldbetang · Nov 16, 2010

BoltNut said:
I would imagine that there are those so "one issue" oriented that this could apply. I just feel that it would be a very small minority. Many of the "social conservatives" are in the same group as the "small government" people, already. What is getting most people to the polls right now is the economy, not social issues. Since most of the "hot-button" social issues are not legislated, but are mainly legal decisions, it makes more sense to consider the one appointing the judges. These social issues won't necessarily be abandoned, they just shouldn't be high on the priority list right now. I don't think it will be much of a "tightrope", only a shift in focus.

I could be wrong, it wouldn't be the first time that has happened.

I was going to make the point about the judicial branch but you beat me to it. You nailed it!

chaz345 · Nov 16, 2010

Nathan Poe said:
I find myself agreeing with the Tea Party on this one...

Tea party groups push GOP to quit culture wars, focus on deficit - CSMonitor.com

Bravo for them -- a pity it's going to cost them their GOP support.

Thoughts?

My thought is that it's pretty much what I've been saying here since even before the Tea Party was any sort of meaningful force. At this point in time, and for that matter even before the recent financial meltdown, fiscal issues are FAR more important than social issues.

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Tea Party pushes GOP to abandon "Culture Wars"; focus on deficit.

Nathan Poe

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