The GOP didn't "try" moderate

and not decided to destroy him, I believe we would still be the majority party.

As you have stated, they have no loyalty to the GOP...so why stay?

Michael Steele, Palin and other new leaders need to stay away from these conservative non loyalists. They certainly don't need to be apologizing to them!

ugly they appear to the rest of America. They are the stereotypical conservative that Liberals tell stories about to their children to scare them. The sanctimonous, unforgiving, bible thumping conservatives that hate minorities and gays.

Sandra, if we don't want this type of ridiculous spending and appeasement of our enemies, REAL Republicans have got to stand up to these people so that when the GOP regain the WH and Congress, their leaders won't be harrassed to death.

Funny thing...all the conservatives I know personally, are nice...like Reagan, unlike the current bunch of loud mouth screamers that get all the media attention...

Reagan attracted democrats, and he had a pleasant demeanor. He was able to verbalize what is great about the country without calling names, and demeaning those he didn't agree with.

Bush tried to do the same, but wasn't as articulate, and he was also faced with unpopular decisions needed to protect the country from terror attacks...plus, he thought he could work with democrats like he had in Texas... but he had to deal with attacks from all sides...

after all the bashing it is not easy for a party to rebound...

I hate to break it to you, but most Democrats and Independents do not see Reagan and people like you and your sister as "conservatives". Mention that term and people see Rush, Ingraham, Noonan...and bloggers like Brian.

They see sanctimonous people who talk about paying a fine for breaking the law as amnesty...but that does not extend to when they break the law in speeding (Ingraham used to talk about her hundreds of speeding tickets and laugh about not abiding by the laws of this nation.)

They see people claiming to be the base of a party they feel no loyalty to...harrassing and nit picking their leaders. It is ugly and this extremely unhealthy relationship has got to end if the party of Republicans are going to get off the minority status.

You start by proudly calling yourself a Republican; a member of a party whose principles DO include loyalty and support.