Shock to the Hart!

In a recent New Yorker article, Gary Hart--yes he's still around--is quoted from a memo he wrote for the Democratic Party in 2006 outlining a proposal for how the West could be won:

"Westerners are individualists who do not like the beliefs of others imposed on us," he wrote. "We are people who believe in principles: integrity, honor, courage, accountability. The religious right preach values. Democrats, regionally and nationally, should espouse principles, for ourselves and for our country." He argues that while "values" have a religious connotations, "principles" are secular."

I would go further, saying this is what's needed for the entire country to be won.