Big tent?

     Since Bookworm seems to have fallen prey to vacation lethargy let me hop in here with a quick question.  It occurred to me after I read the comments to my last post that I had asked the wrong question.  I should have asked what people think is the best strategy for the Republican party to attract voters.  Specifically, should the party try to be a “big tent” attracting voters with differing points of view, or should it conduct what at least one commenter called a “purge” presumably of those with less than pure beliefs.  I’m reminded of Goldwater’s “a choice not an echo.”  But I’m also reminded of how that worked out for him.  On the other hand, I do think the Republican Party must stand for something, and a something very different than the Democrat Party stands for, at least these days.  So I’m conflicted.  What do you think?

     Perhaps this leads into a second question.  If the Republican Party is to stand for anything, what should it stand for?  Personally, I’m a libertarian Republican.  That is, I believe that, to the extent possible and practical, the government should stay out of our pocketbooks and our houses.  It’s none of the government’s business how I spend my money or what I do in my bedroom.  I think Republicans who believe in small governmnet, but believe the government should have a say in dictating morals are internally inconsistent.  But I suspect the majority of the readers here (and, perhaps, the majority of Republicans generally) would disagree with me.  If we are to present a coherent alternative to the Democrats, how do we resolve such differences?

     As always, I look forward eagerly to your comments.