I really wish there was a party that was more fiscally conservative and socially liberal. I think that a lot of women (and men) would find it attractive.

I think the margins have really taken over that group and alienated a lot of more moderate Republicans.

Chouette - I think the Libertarians sort of fit that bill, but I'm not entirely sure. Anyone else know?

I was a huge Republican until the Bush administration came along. It really made me question a lot of the ideas I'd been inculcated with by my parents - such as government is the enemy, and gayness is a choice. At this point, I see it only as a party for the interests of the rich, white males.

There's nothing they could ever do to gain back my trust or my vote. I don't have any illusions that the Democrats will not abuse their newfound power - but I think they're generally the party that believes in the same things I do.

I also think there are a massive number of people my age that feel the same way, and will never change their minds. Bush was in charge over 8 of the most disastrous years of our lives. We will forever associate the Republican party with failure and corruption.

"I'd been inculcated with by my parents - such as government is the enemy, and gayness is a choice. At this point, I see it only as a party for the interests of the rich, white males"

so sorry to see you go........

So will the GOP alienate their principles or alienate their base? It seems like they're going to have to pick one.

Chouette-- we've got to look at the social impact of recent fiscal policy and see that these are in fact inseparable constructs

For whatever reason, society seems to be evolving but the GOP hasn't evolved at all (maybe because a bunch of their base doesn't believe in evolution? Ha Ha had to throw in the joke).

But seriously, this is an era of globalization...economically, politically and culturally. The major republican players haven't embraced this...they still say that America should shut its doors, judge alternative lifestyles and cultures as wrong (and possibly pass laws against them), and so much of the base is about religion and not about accepting other ideas and religions. In todays world with travel so accessible, businesses so global, & the internet joining so many people, you just can't shut everything out anymore. Some of the moderate republicans want to embrace new views but they aren't the ones being heard. The party is in serious trouble if they don't get some new perspectives to the forefront.

Well based on how many ignorant statments about the GOP are on here already, most have no idea what the GOP is about.

I believe there is a place for both Republicans and Democrats in the American political atmosphere.

Platforms that are generally considered Republican/conservative, at least in recent years [I wasn't alive back when the KKK was associated with the Dems or when Lincoln, as part of the GOP, signed the Emancipation Proclamation, but I do recognize that the cultural and political landscape was COMPLETELY different than today's] have never sat well with me. I can see where some policies and make sense in theory, but when such policies have been implemented, they are levied unfairly and biased towards the rich and non-minorities. Democratic policies, for the most part, aren't. That's why I identify so much more with them.

It's true, I think Republicans = Bush to so many people, especially a lot of younger voters. That's all they've [I mean we've, me included] have grown up with. I will say that I was not a fan of Bush Jr.'s platforms or policies from Day One. But it's harder for me to separate the ridiculousness than happened over the last 8 years from the Reps/conservatives in general for a reason. Personally, I saw how the aftereffects of Reagan and Bush Sr. policies [early in my lifetime, though Bush Sr.'s weren't so terrible, he's actually a very nice man and has done a lot of good for Texas, especially after Ike] affected my parents' lives for the worse, and I can't support that.

I've been thinking that my actual politics run somewhat LIbertarian...they'd be a great third-party choice [though I don't think the US in particular was built for a three or more party system. Maybe that works in other countries, but I doubt it'd work here].

I think the problem with the GOP right now is that instead of offering a sort-of "broad" range of political thought, it is becoming more and more narrow. It's the party of taking away women's rights, taking away gay rights and alienating a segment of the population, turning the US into a Christian theocracy of sorts, turning the environment into a sinkhole, imploding our education and health care systems and then not offering other countries the freedom this country was founded upon (aka spreading "democracy", a political system that the US doesn't even have fully in place [we really are a federal republic, the founders were afraid of democracy, thinking the public too illiterate]).

I know that these aren't the true principles of the GOP, but that's what it looks like in the public eye. Just like for some people, Christians look like pushy people who won't let you think for yourself and say "you're going to Hell!" when anyone like me or my boyfriend walk by (when in reality most Christians are really nice, friendly, and loving people).

It's the negative image set up by certain groups (right now it seems to be the religious right and the people who have never opened an American History text book in their life, yet get "patriotic" about principles the founders and other prominent historical figures in the shaping of America would absolutely gawk at) that is drawing people away from the party.

Historically the GOP is a very good party to have in office, but in the last few decades, it's been the one responsible for a disintegration of American principles and freedoms and economic downturns.

I am a classic conservative, meaning I believe in as little government as possible. That means the government stays out of your bedroom and out of your wallet. I wish either party would start pushing for less government and lower taxes. Our economy would be a lot better off!! We should model ourselves after Europe. I lived there, it doesn't work. The Republican party is losing because it's cool to be a Democrat right now. Instead of two different parties, it's now one side is right and one side is wrong. How about BOTH being wrong?!?

there's nothing the republican party can ever do to attract me. their policies from regan on down,(even through the clinton years, when the republican congress pressured clinton to dismantle the welare system as we knew it based on the imagery of the welfare queen that regan created, without anything comprehensive to replace it or when congress repubs fought tooth and nail against universal healthcare) they have done everything possible to dienfranchise and alienate every group that is not a rich white straight christian male. i am neither fiscally nor socially conservative. i believe that social programs, implemented properly can provide benefits to disavantaged groups and thus benefit society as a whole. every tenet republican party stands for screams puratanical, uneducated, backwards, and prejudiced such as CHRISTIAN faith-based EVERYTHING from education to media to REHAB, to banning gay marriage, dismantling affirmative action, to being against being more enviornmentally concious, to tax cuts for THE RICH. the republican party disgusts me and i hope it dies out and becomes a fringe party. hopefully something more moderate will replace it, so we actually have educated debates in congress, and laws that benefical to society, not just the rich, passed.

YEAH! Truth to power, Sloane! I totally agree, it's a dead ideology - like believing in Greek gods.

CG, after coming back and reading the "news" stories here, I realize that it is completely futile to even post. This site clearly is agenda driven. The days of Citizen are over.

Sloane, just so you know, it is Reagan.

And, Miss Tres, where is the story on the CA votes from yesterday that seem to counteract what you are trying to propagandize here?

GS, this site is no more agenda driven than Oprah or The View. What do you expect - a women's site isn't going to be socially conscious? I wouldn't come here if it wasn't, and I doubt others would either.

With all respect to your ideology, please don't bring the "liberal media" hating here - because that's has an undeniable stench of ideology. It's also a bit boorish, in my opinion.

Let me get this straight:
1. all things for women have to be socially conscious?
2. Socially conscious = liberal?
3. So because you and the mysterious others like it, it is fine and the rest of us should deal with it?
4. Notice the shift in posting, or are you new to it?
5. It is sad if you think that because we have different ideology and I express it, towards the site, not you, you feel YOU need to tell me I am boorish.
6. A news site should represent the news, not an agenda.

Sorry if my differing opinions make you uncomfortable.

I don't get drawn into yelling matches with conservatives - it's a personal policy I learned growing up with a whole family of them.

That was my opinion, which I am entitled to. Feel to yours as well.

I take that as a non argument. One from someone who can't refute the points I've made.

I could, I just don't have the kind of personality to do flame wars on messageboards. If you're looking for a fight, which I think you are, look elsewhere.

How is having a differing opinion, and reacting to being called boorish, me looking for a fight?

It truly just seems you have no response.