There are four factions that matter in American politics now

[politruk]

2. What I'm assuming

is that the social-liberal nature of the Millennial generation will have its effects in the Heartland as well, at least to some extent. Studies show Millennials are less racist than any elder generation, less xenophobic, less sexist and homophobic -- and less religious, with at least 25% of them being self-ID'd atheists, agnostics or "nones."

Now, Millennials are not necessarily socialists, and an economic-libertarian message might well appeal to a lot of them; but the GOP is eventually going to have to drop the religious right from any publicly admitted influence on its platforms if it wants to remain relevant. Of course, I'm talking on a generational timescale here.