Future of Social Moderates vs. Social Liberals

[HoosierPoliticalJunkie]

I've seen alot of posts where people think that if the GOP becomes socially moderate, they would appeal to Hispanics and the Socially liberal population of New England. Even if the GOP was socially moderate, the Democrats would still be socially liberal, and therefore be more appealing to these two groups. Please explain if you believe I'm wrong.

The electorate isn't far-left on social issues though; they're just not in line with the GOP.  If the GOP moved to the center, it would be closer to the electorate on these issues. 

[HoosierPoliticalJunkie]

Yes but the majority of Democrats and Republicans support gay marriage, which is a liberal stance. The moderate stance would be civil unions.

I've seen alot of posts where people think that if the GOP becomes socially moderate, they would appeal to Hispanics and the Socially liberal population of New England. Even if the GOP was socially moderate, the Democrats would still be socially liberal, and therefore be more appealing to these two groups. Please explain if you believe I'm wrong.

The electorate isn't far-left on social issues though; they're just not in line with the GOP.  If the GOP moved to the center, it would be closer to the electorate on these issues. 

I agree, but there are other issues where this is not the case, particularly on the death penalty.

[HoosierPoliticalJunkie]

I'm not saying that all of America is socially liberal, I'm saying that the two groups the GOP is aiming at, the Hispanic population, and New England, are.

I understand what you're saying, but I still think it would help the GOP in those areas to moderate.
1) If the GOP moves closer to Dems on these issues, economics (big gov't v. small gov't) would be more important with these voters and they'd lean GOP.
2) The average American would not get a -10 on social issues on the PM test, even in New England regions.  Thus, the Dem Party can still go too far left socially.