Has the Republican party become MORE socially conservative ("right wing" or extreme) in the last decade,...?

Question

or has the public shifted overall to a more moderate position on these issues? I am inclined to believe that the public has shifted. What do you think? 

Many people at Yahoo Answers state that only recently the Republican party has become too influenced by religious and socially conservative  ("right wing") philosophy, and that this influence is the reason Republicans have lost the presidency and many congressional seats in the last two elections. I am inclined to believe that both of these ideas are incorrect, and please note that I am NOT a religious social conservative or defending that point of view. I am approaching this question from the standpoint of historical accuracy.


For example, read the following question posted recently on YA:

"Are Goldwater republicans disgusted to have their party taken over by religious fanatics in the 21st century?"

This idea seems strange to me in light of the tremendous influence the very politically active religious groups had on the Republican party during the 1980s and early 1990s. In other words, it was taken over in the 20th century, not the 21st! For those of you at YA who think the Republican party has become dominated by religious fanatics recently, do the names Gary Bauer, Ralph Reed, Francis Schaeffer and Dr. D. James Kennedy, just to name a few, sound familiar to you? My recollection is that the "culture war" was more heated, and religious groups were more influential, in the '80s relative to today, and yet, during that period, Ronald Reagan won two of the larger landslide victories in U.S. history. 

Sanctity of the unborn, gay lifestyle and teaching of evolution versus creationism in public schools  were contentious issues back then as they are today. The global climate change debate may be the only issue that is unique to today.

If my thinking on this is wrong, please explain. What am I missing?

JakeMcKoffer · Accepted Answer

It was a decision in 2001 to push the Republicans to the right and energise the base. Read the book listed below in the source for more information.

curious george · Answer

Not sure.
I think the extremes of both sides are still intact, with an overall shift of the middle ground to the left.

The middle voting block has just voted their pocketbooks in my opinion.  This past election, when the DOW tanked, McCain was toast.  I still think Obama would have won, but that economic down slide was a definite nail in the coffin.

I think the Republicans on the far right were very religious decades ago as well as today.  It is just that the media and the left uses it as a weapon to pull in moderates who fear the far right.

bigjohn B · Answer

MUCH MORE  The far right is somewhat the American Taliban. But the vast majority of Americans reside much more in the middle of the political spectrum. George Bush Jr was/is not one of the fair right but he used them to get elected. The people you listed make a lot of noise through their use of TV but are not really that powerful. Recent sexual scandals have weakened the far right, from Idaho, S. Carolina and Nevada have blunted the "family values" issue. The ripples from Clinton's escapades have been more than matched by the recent scandals by the right. They do not look so Clean Jean anymore.

Martina · Answer

I think the Republican party has become more rigid and more right wing based on the 2008 election experience.

Anonymous · Answer

I think it's a bit of both... I think they are more extreme, overall... and that the public has shifted...

even in the 90s they were working with Clinton on welfare reform and taxes...

now, they just don't want to work with Obama at all... the stimulus was 40 percent tax cuts (in a nod to Republcians) and all they have done is trash it...

simple fact is... it seems they used to understand that you had to compromise to get things done (which you do in Washington)... give a little to get something important done...

seems like anymore... it's party ideology and that trumps all... those that do work to get things done are labeled as RINOs (Republican in Name Only)... I don't remember any of this in the 80s or 90s to any real degree...

Anonymous · Answer

Please dont stereotype.  There are all kinds of republicans.

I am a social moderate, fiscal conservative republican.

I am pro choice; i could never have an abortion but it is not my place to judge someone who would.

I am pro gay rights; I'm straight as an arrow but believe sexuality isn't a choice.

But I am against too much govt, too much welfare, socialism, etc.  I am also a big believer in a strong military.

Shall I go on?  You get my point....

mac · Answer

Most head Republicans  work for the same interests that the head democrats work for... the bankers and wall street..

There are very few politicians in either party that actually work for the best interests of the people

Ron Paul, Dennis Kucinich, Jim Demint, and Brad Shermana are the only 4 that I can really think of

Wake up!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAaQNACwaLw

jake f · Answer

only in the last six months. We have been to open to compromise and far to agreeable, unfortunately, meeting in the middle has not worked both way. expect to see a return to our fundamental routes, the same roots that use to win us elections.

Anonymous · Answer

Party has shifted. Almost every poll suggest America is STILL center right. Why did Obama say he would lower spending and taxes like a conservative? U're wrong, have u not noticed the TEA parties? **** u

Just Jess · Answer

I think you're on to something.

If we can just do the same thing to the political left, we might get somewhere. One down, one to go.

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Has the Republican party become MORE socially conservative ("right wing" or extreme) in the last decade,...?

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