On rereading the last paragraph of my post above, I realized that if I were you I’d ask for a cite to support the last sentence, specifically as relates to my “and still is” contention. I’ll look for one or two.
Several people on here made good points, so I’ll change the rules a little. You can make changes to their platform, so long as you don’t change their basic small government-loving philosophy. That said, one big thing I’d do away with is the adherence to junk science.
Personally, though, I still think the problem isn’t so much where they stand on the issues, as it is how they approach the issues. Does that mean I agree with everything in their platform? Of course not (FTR I voted for Obama).
But, on the surface anyway, many of the GOP’s positions are surprisingly similar to that of the Democrats. People forget that Obama actually came out as being against gay marriage. But he didn’t make a big show of it, nor did the party put the issue front and center as a cynical ploy to rally the base. And many Democrats openly disagree with Obama on that particular issue, but don’t have the national party making a big stink over that disagreement.
I don’t know if there are any prominent Republicans who are in favor of gay marriage, but if there are they’re probably mocked as not being true conservatives.
Also I don’t deny Onomatopoeia’s assertion that when it comes to racial issues, the GOP over the past few decades has done little more than pour gasoline on the fire. But where is it written in the Republican platform that they have to act like racist assholes or pander to racial fears? That to me seems more the product of backroom strategizing and a “wink, wink, nudge, nudge” attitude on the part of the leadership, than it does any sort of official policy they’ve committed to paper.
You also asked what conservative social issue platforms might appeal to a larger base. Well, there’s the death penalty and gun control. A lot of Democrats actually side with conservatives in regards to those issues.
I’d take away their ties to big religion; but, of course, that would end up changing many of their most important political platforms; a clear violation of the rules of this scenario.
wrong thread.
Separate the Religious Right from the Ecomonic Responsiblity platforms.
Responsible Economics are very appealing - if they didn’t get glumped together with enforcing the christian versions of “sharia law” through federal and state law.
A “philosophy” which doesn’t actually exist. The Republicans love big government; they just want it directed into overseeing people’s personal lives and political opinions instead of overseeing corporations or helping people. Being anti-choice for example; enforcing laws against abortion requires a large, intrusive government that pries into people’s private lives.
Several people have already given my answer (focus it exclusively on economic conservatism and kick the Talibornagains to the curb).
Economic conservatism serves a legitimate function – pressure to scale back government programs serves a useful function by forcing the programs to keep on their toes and deliver their promised benefits efficiently and without undue bureaucracy. Talibornagainism lacks any such justification, as there is no such benefit in pressure to scale back the rights of citizens.
What he said 
I think the Reps set up the climate for the Glenn Becks of the world to succeed, not the other way around. I don’t believe for a second that Beck can resonate with Americans if Americans see there isn’t a fucking national party supporting the ideas of this loon. When congressman echo the loons, then the party has become of the loons
I’m fine with people having disagreements. I vehemently disagree with some close friends over personal and important issues. But we don’t openly mock each other or belittle the other to get our points across. The remade GOP I would create would stop this childish bullshitting and accept that not everything’s going to go their way. EVERY fucking issue with them now with Obama in office becomes a god damn life-or-death thing that they have to fight and obstruct to the bitter end. I would like to see that stopped. The Dems are good role models in how the GOP should behave.