** Let me start this post by saying I'm completely ignoring the Louigi / uncboy10 / Nuk'em religious spat. AIn't no one got time for that. Now I'll continue **
The GOP, IMO, encompasses a more diverse array of opinions, beliefs, and wants than the Democratic Party does. That may sound counter-intuitive, but I don't see it that way.
Liberals more or less fall into this general political ideology: Fiscally liberal (higher taxes, more government aid), desire bigger and more regulatory government, socially liberal (live and let live / equality for all / amnesty / open borders / no church-inspired legislation should remain or come into being). Yes, the occasional liberal differs on one aspect of what I've outlined above but basically that sorta encapsulates all liberals (registered Dem's, not independents).
Conservatives do not fit so nicely in to a characterization. You've got socially-conscious conservatives who place the most emphasis (i.e. base their vote on) on social issues, usually ones that involve a religious tinge or connotation: gay marriage/gay rights, abortion and federal funding for it, marijuana legalization and other 'sin' items like gambling and alcohol. These voters will back extremely un-electable candidates because of said candidate's stance on one of these issues. Then you've got fiscally-conscious conservatives who -- essentially -- don't care about the social issues outlined above, OR are socially liberal. These conservatives desire nothing more than a candidate who will be fiscally conservative (lower taxes, less government regulation and spending, etc.).
So basically, the GOP doesn't know how to unite this 'Old Guard' and 'New Guard,' if you will. In the party's defense, its constituents haven't exactly been willing to make compromises. You've got an old school segment of conservative voters who steadfastly hold on to religious-inspired views on issues like abortion, which is noble and fine, but problematic when they place these issues at the top of their list of what sways their vote. Then you've got the new school segment (call them millennials or 'more enlightened' or whatever BS label you want) who is just as fiscally conservative but either is much more socially progressive than the 'Old Guard,' OR recognizes the importance of shoving social issues down the totem pole of importance in order to elect a candidate that will fix the economy / government spending. One thing that does seem to unite all conservatives is border security.
Like I've said in this thread and many other threads, WITHIN A POLITICAL FRAMEWORK, conservatives need to minimize their desire to back the candidate who most staunchly opposes abortion, wants to repeal gay marriage, etc etc. Let these beliefs guide you in your personal life and in your family life, but not in your political decision-making -- don't throw your vote away backing a candidate that's so right-wing socially that he's not electable. But it doesn't seem like people are willing to do that; therefore, the GOP is ****ed and we will all be speaking Spanish in 20 years while collecting our meager government checks.
