TW: Parker is my nominee for the new conservative columnist at NYT (not sure she would regard that as sufficient upgrade from Wash Post though). Regardless she addresses a point obvious to us secular types- the Republicans have become far too reliant on religion to define their base. Religion when applied stridently becomes a polarizing force (which has implications far beyond the Republican Party but that is for another time). While preaching the old time religion truly fires up say 25% of the population, it does not work so well with the rest including those crucial independents.
From Parker at WaPo:
"...To be more specific, the evangelical, right-wing, oogedy-boogedy branch of the GOP is what ails the erstwhile conservative party and will continue to afflict and marginalize its constituents if reckoning doesn't soon cometh.
Simply put: Armband religion is killing the Republican Party. And, the truth -- as long as we're setting ourselves free -- is that if one were to eavesdrop on private conversations among the party intelligentsia, one would hear precisely that....
So it has been for the Grand Old Party since the 1980s or so, as it has become increasingly beholden to an element that used to be relegated to wooden crates on street corners...
Which is to say, the GOP has surrendered its high ground to its lowest brows. In the process, the party has alienated its non-base constituents, including other people of faith (those who prefer a more private approach to worship), as well as secularists and conservative-leaning Democrats who otherwise might be tempted to cross the aisle...It isn't that culture doesn't matter. It does. But preaching to the choir produces no converts...
Suffice it to say, the Republican Party is largely comprised of white, married Christians. Anyone watching the two conventions last summer can't have missed the stark differences: One party was brimming with energy, youth and diversity; the other felt like an annual Depends sales meeting...Either the Republican Party needs a new base -- or the nation may need a new party."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/18/AR2008111802886.html
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