SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) — Republicans can reach a broader base by recasting gay marriage as an issue that could dent pocketbooks as small businesses spend more on health care and other benefits, GOP Chairman Michael Steele said Saturday.

Steele said that was just an example of how the party can retool its message to appeal to young voters and minorities without sacrificing core conservative principles. Steele said he used the argument weeks ago while chatting on a flight with a college student who described herself as fiscally conservative but socially liberal on issues like gay marriage.

“Now all of a sudden I’ve got someone who wasn’t a spouse before, that I had no responsibility for, who is now getting claimed as a spouse that I now have financial responsibility for,” Steele told Republicans at the state convention in traditionally conservative Georgia. “So how do I pay for that? Who pays for that? You just cost me money.”

This argument counters the “No one’s hurt by it” defense of same sex marriage. The only problem is that Steele’s argument is also exactly an argument against “opposite marriage.”

Yeah, that’ll catch on, Republicans!

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I only put in the weasel “seems” word because I know so little about her. So: She also seems to be the least qualified vice presidential candidate in modern history. Her lack of preparation to assume the office of the presidency shows an abysmal lack of judgment on John McCain’s part, and a reckless putting of his campaign ahead of his country.

The Wikipedia the Sarah Palin entry is informative, but the discussion page is and even better source of information…the best source of info on her I’ve seen so far.

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It’s tough being a Republican in Massachusetts, but everyone’s entitled to, well, hope.

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