I certainly think we are starting to see a backlash among some conservatives against the dominance of the so-called ‘religious right’. Many are starting to realize that when traditionally socially conservative ideals were co-opted into a platform based not on simple morals but on religious beliefs, we gave the Left a weapon against us. Yes, in the short term we gained votes from blue-collar religious folks, but in the long-term we attributed our ideals to the metaphysical and that made more enemies than friends.

There is nothing wrong with legislating morality. Many of our laws our based in commonly shared morals, but only in the broadest sense. The challenge is to determine a morality we can all accept without interjecting religion. I think the uniqueness of the American body of laws is that we have successfully blended our common morals with our understanding of essential liberties.

The rise to prominence of the Religious Right was centered around one issue. Abortion. By adopting this plank Republicans brought a lot of evangelicals on board. While abortion was certainly a good cause, the problem is that many of them were one-issue voters. It is my opinion that you do not build a solid base on the backs of one-issue voters. I think it has been shown that this is often the problem with liberals. The Democratic platform often tends to be disjointed. Their party is filled with one-issue voters. It hurts them in general elections on the national level where cohesiveness is mandatory.

Conservative leaders developed a crush on one-issue voters when they realized they could bring a lot of new faces into the fold who never would have voted for them in the past. This lead to a disproportional increase in power. Over 20 years later, we have attempts at teaching Intelligent Design in science classes, 10 Commandements in courthouses, Terry Schiavo and a campaign against gay marriage that is dangerously close to appearing biggoted.

We cannot go to independent and liberal voters and ever hope to win their support when we make our arguements for public policy with a Bible in one hand. We have to learn how to legislate these moral issues with a non-religious rationale. If this means foregoing the support of the Religious Right then so be it.

A successful conservative movement is going to be based on like-minded voters coming together on a number of issues. Multiple issue voters are going to feel more connected and it will create a stronger base.

 I look forward to the day when the conservative movement welcomes the inclusion of religious conservatives, but is not held hostage by them. I look forward to the day when they are included but we ask them to agree with us on more than one issue.