Libertarians vs. Religious Right

Instapundit has this post on the Republicans being accused of abandoning Libertarian principles in favor of "religious extremism". Since my Libertarian friend Gunnar Hagel and I often discuss these issues (usually to a standoff), I thought I would weigh in.

1. I have always thought that the premise that the past election hinged on moral issues was ridiculous. The election was first and foremost about the war on terror. Period.
   
2. The religious right certainly can at times become "the mirror image of it's hated enemy". They are too quick to look for government solutions to their social issues. However, many times the government is the cause of the problem in the first place (i.e. gay marriage).
   
3. Opposition to gay marriage, or even to the recognition and normalization of the gay lifestyle, does not make you a homophobe, intolerant, a fascist, a religious extremist, or a Nazi.
   
4. The Conservative philosophy is built on limited government, personal responsibility and personal liberty. If the Republicans abandon these principles to appease either the religious conservatives or the pragmatists (also known as moderates, independents or "swing voters") then they will ultimately lose the gains they have made.