As Ryan Sager has pointed out, the Interior West isn’t as friendly toward faith-based politics. That goes a long way toward explaining Republican losses in Colorado. Are Republicans listening? Consider:
“It is impossible to protect our religious liberty as well as all of our individual rights unless we endorse the strict separation of church and state. … I have been a Republican for my entire voting life, but cannot endorse the GOP currently because of it’s explicit endorsement of religion in government.”
“As a Republican since 1976, I am disillusioned, largely because of the party’s abandonment of individual liberty in favor of religion in politics.”
“My family has always voted Republican. The Party has changed in recent years. The important issue: the Republican Party must stand for strict separation of church and state. But the Party has now allied itself with the religious right, with such pet issues as anti-stem-cell research, anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage.”
“The Republican Party must promote the strict separation of church and state. I used to support the Republican Party because I believe in individual rights, free markets, a strong national defense, and the right to keep and bear arms. However, the Republican Party alliance with the religious right on ‘social issues’ like stem cell research, abortion and gay marriage has turned off many former supporters such as myself.”
“15 years ago, the GOP attracted me for its commitment to free markets and fiscal responsibility, even if only half-hearted. Today, the GOP has lost my vote due to its dangerous entanglement with evangelical Christianity.”
I used to display a Bush (the First) yard sign in the window of the truck I drove. Since then, I’ve voted for Kerry. I intend to vote for Democrat Mark Udall for U.S. Senate. I refuse to vote for McCain. Just as soon as Republican candidates explicitly endorse the separation of church and state — and mean it — I will again consider voting for them.