The tenuous relationship between grassroots conservatives and the “conservative establishment” appears to be a reflection of a deeper issue – the ongoing contention between social and fiscal conservatives.

Yet, what is evident to grassroots conservatives still seems to escape the establishment: Social issues, such as marriage and life, still do matter.

Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski’s defeat on Tuesday by political outsider Joe Miller is nothing less than a stunning upset for pro-abortion, self-identified “moderate” conservatives.

While Miller won in part to support from former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and the Tea Party Express, he credited life advocates – who turned out in droves to vote for a pro-life ballot measure –for putting him over the top.

George Soros and the liberal political elite learned this valuable lesson in the 2004 and 2006 elections. By appealing to the grassroots on social issues – or at least feign to do so – the Democrat Party was swept into all levels of power in 2008.

Even so, the Republican political establishment – and its endorsed candidates – still relies on the advice of consultants, such as Steve Schmidt.

Schmidt, who served as then-presidential candidate John McCain’s campaign manager, has been a long-time supporter of same-sex marriage and steered candidates away from discussing social issues.

However, as more high-profile establishment members embrace same-sex marriage, Schmidt is now trying to make the case for why the Party should back it – by using arguments used to defend marriage that he once rejected:

“There is a strong conservative case to be made in favor of gay marriage. Marriage is an institution that strengthens and stabilizes society. It is an institution that has the capacity to bring profound joy and happiness to people and it is a matter of equality and keeping faith of one of the charters of the nation, the right to live your life.”

With less than 62 days left until the Nov. 2 elections – and a possible Republican takeover of Congress — Tom Minnery, senior vice president of government and public policy for CitizenLink, warns grassroots values voters of the need to keep elected officials in-check.

“What just happened in Alaska has revealed a clear blueprint for restoring life and family values in our nation’s government,” Minnery said. “Now, the question is, will the Republican establishment ignore this lesson?”

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Watch CitizenLink Report: Social Issues Still Drive Voters.

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