Radio talk show host and Townhall.com columnist Steve Deace is exactly right:
Instead of pitting conservatives vs. independents, the winning formula for Republican presidential candidates is to first convince the conservative base they are with them on their principles in the primary. Then, in the general, the nominee is free to pursue enough independent voters necessary to create a winning coalition on Election Day.
Therefore, the base of the Republican Party holds far more sway over the outcome of the presidential election than either the liberal media or the Republican Party establishment that loathes grassroots conservatives cares to admit.
