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Berkowitz makes some valid points, and I think that his ideas would certainly help the conservative party along. The main problem is that modern conservatives cling too tightly to social conservative platforms, and take an otherwise attractive smaller-government platform down by increasing government in other areas -- specifically the areas that restrict personal liberty. Time and time again conservative candidates ensure that I cannot vote for them because no matter how much I might like their fiscal policy, I cannot elect anyone that is prepared to limit personal freedoms in the name of some bogus moral code.<br> <br> Case in point, Bush's support of a constitutional amendment regarding same-sex marriage. The government has absolutely no place dictating who someone can marry, so long as it's between consenting adults. Laws must always be made with a simple question in mind: Who is being directly harmed by this activity?<br> <br> Similarly with foreign policy. The term 'national defense' has been hopelessly perverted. It is perfectly valid to want to protect the country itself, but there are many who do not support foreign wars of agression against a poorly-defined 'threat' that does not actually have any means of inflicting significant damage upon the nation itself.<br> <br> Berkowitz is getting in the right direction though. He might also mention that a good way to start is to start campaigning about platform issues -- tell us why we should vote for you, and not why we shouldn't vote for your opponent. Recent conservative candidates focus far, far too much on trying to say that their opponent is morally repugnant, and not nearly enough on what makes them desirable on a policy front.
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