The Republican party also needs to distance itself from the Christian Taliban.  That's right.  Being fiscally conservative is an idea that has traction.  Bigotry and utilizing government to impose one set of moral beliefs not so much.  I do consider myself very conservative.  So conservative that I think in many instances, government is overstepping its bounds. It is enacting and enforcing laws that are totally intrusive to the concept of personal responsibility/freedom.   Cynthia Thielen is one Republican I think gets it.  In her district, a Republican candidate who advertises her bigotry runs against here every time.  Cynthia wins handily every time.  I think Republicans would do rather well if they were more the party of fiscal responsibility and personal freedoms.