Principles and Politics - Republicans

A survey by NPR, via Salon.com, suggests that the pandering some (and more are falling into line) in the Republican party partake in, is turning the voters off:

"People reject the 'moral values' demagoguery. Most voters in the contested districts say that they trust Democrats, not Republicans, on such issues as stem cell research, flag burning and gay rights. Those responses indicate that the summer strategy of setting up phony floor votes on right-wing constitutional amendments -- and the president's first veto -- may have backfired. Fifty-two percent say that the recent stem cell debate made them more inclined to vote for Democrats, and 49 percent said the same about flag burning, gay marriage and other 'values issues.' Only 29 percent -- essentially the conservative base -- said those debates would motivate them to vote for Republicans."

Again, as a Conservative, this troubles me as well. I am not a proponent of governments controlling social agendas - in either direction (despite Salon's attempt to brand conservatives in this way). Perhaps this is more of a Libertarian approach, but the bottom-line is, there are more important things for federal governments to do that worry about someone burning a flag or if a state has enough citizens who vote to allow two men to marry. [On the other hand, I don't trust that if Democrats took control, they wouldn't pander to the other side and propose bills that would "protect" these "rights" either.]

Republicans need to uphold the Constitution, reduce federal spending (and by default the need for increased taxation) - especially social and pork - and ensure for the defense of the nation. Period.