The Dixie Republicans have lost the fiscally conservative, independent vote. It may take a while before they win our trust again. Frank Luntz explains:
My polls show that Democrats now hold a perceived advantage with voters not just on reducing deficits and balancing the budget but on an issue long seen as a GOP strength: ending wasteful spending. That alone should jar Republicans into taking a fresh approach.
It has't so far. They seem far more concerned to shore up the battle against abortion and gay marriage.