“Emergence of the grass-roots ‘tea party’ movement as a major force on the American political right is having a quiet but fundamental effect on the Republican tribe: Social conservatives have been voted off the island. … Of course, many say tea-party rhetoric emphasizing a basic constitutional framework is code for a return to Christian values these activists see as enshrined in the Constitution by the Founders — a foundation that would seem to give them much in common with social conservatives. … But among grass-roots tea party leaders, social issues such as abortion, gay rights and marijuana legalization are held at arm’s length in favor of fiscal issues that can appeal to independents, Democrats and, most important, suburban conservatives.” (03/13/10)