The Return of the Inflation Tax

Look back at the Gingrich's "Contract with America" that propelled the Republicans to the majority in 1994.....he purposefully ignored the most divisive issues of abortion, gay rights, gun control, immigration reform, etc. Conservative, but also moderate. The most potentially divisive issue in the document was welfare reform.

http://www.house.gov/house/Contract/CONTRACT.html

IMO, based on Congressional election results from 06 through the most recent, the Republican social conservative base which now dominates the party has become much more insistent (than the party was in 1994) that candidates tow the line on these issues and not just fiscal or regulatory issues, in order to receive a stamp of approval.

There is a serious culture clash at work within the Republican party. Gingrich recognizes this trend as do other Republican leaders, but the issue they face is how to deal with it in in a manner that will mollify the extremists (like the Palinistas) and, at the same time, attract moderate Republicans and Independents and expand the tent.