Forget 2012, we need to worry about 2010.

Fine, we'll deal with 2010, then 2012. Same dif. we need to galvanize the party.

First, we kick out the RINOs.

Claudia - I'm debating how long of a post to make here. You see, I am not an ideologue, although I don't believe government is the solution to most of our problems. I also do not see the role of government as being the enforcer of the prejudices of the majority. I have never believed in putting up the rights of a minority to majority vote - ala Amendment #2 here in Florida or Proposition #8 in California. I think the problem the Republican Party is going to have from here forward is generational. Young people don't have the anti-gay prejudices and are primarily pro-choice. The Party fights between its Libertarian roots and its evangelical base currently. I support the economic policies of the Republican Party, but I do not support most of its social policies. I no more support government in our bedrooms than I do in our pocketbooks. While I don't get hung up on the "gay" marriage issue (I have repeatedly stated that marriage is a sacrament that should only be recognized by churches, not the government - the government should only recognize civil unions, including gay unions). So, I see us as being in a lot of trouble in the future. There are a LOT of gay people that might be inclined to support the Republican Party, but are eventually swayed to the Dems due to the perceived "big tent" image they sell over on that side. I don't know what the solution is, but I am being honest in my assessment here. We are going to continually bleed young people if we continue on this path. And this is coming from a practicing Roman Catholic who accepts the Church's positions on pro-life and gay marriage, although I don't follow them completely. I choose to view my transgressions (specifically, gay partnership) as no worse than the everyday transgressions of any straight person. And I pray for the enlightenment of the Church (on many fronts - woman priests, acceptance of gays, more efforts on the ecumenical and reunification fronts). I also understand that some issues are difficult to compromise, such as being pro-life (murder is, after all, murder). Those are my humble thoughts this evening.