Official 2012 Election Day Thread

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by DynamiteRave

1st - Republicans need to step away from the whole, "We're God's platform" mentality. Blue dog democrats in places like Ohio, Wisconsin and Iowa would easily vote Republican if they weren't faced with religion thrown in their face every debate and having to deal with far-right social issues. If Republicans left social issues alone and tried their hardest to focus on fiscal issues, they'd get the right, moderates and independents. Statements like (and I'm paraphrasing), if a women gets pregnant due to a rape, it must've been God's will, is why people (or at least I can't) take Republicans seriously. When it comes to social issues, staying as close to the middle as possible, is key.

Best approach on gay marriage and abortion in the short term is the John McCain approach "thats an issue best left to the states." Also saying you believe in traditional marriage and are pro life but don't want to impose your beliefs on other people would be a winner in the near future for the Republican party. Obviously they can't change overnight but they need to start moving toward the center.

Long term though they need to drop the positions on social issues. It's a looser. Fiscal conservatism is still alive and well but virtually everything else on the GOP platform is outdated.

Funny thing I learned recently about the Christian Right is that up until around the late 70's no one ever really talked or elaborated on religion in politics mainly because it was a huge risk to say you were a Baptist, Catholic, Evangelical, etc. Back in the 60's there were people worried Kennedy would answer and decide policy based on advice from the pope. People even asked for assurances that he would observe separation of Church and State.

Somehow it evolved where everyone got united under the word "Christian" and now it doesn't really matter what sect you belong to so long as you declare yourself Christian. Back then Romney being a Mormon in a Presidential Primary would have most likely been a huge dealbreaker for many voters. Today it's more "well as long as he's Christian" on top of guys like Newt Gingrich blaming "secularism" for the nations problems.