Good point - there are quite a few moderate Republicans here that I've met that have gained my respect. But, despite the fact that most red voters here are moderates, there are also some hard-party-line Neo-Con style Republicans - my father is one of them, and since he tends to try to steamroll over and through any conversation he's involved in, I politely decline discussing politics with him. He's a minority out of those here that I've met, though.

Most of the folks around here who vote Republican tend to be more Libertarian in their value system, more 'you do your thing, I'll do mine, and let's not interfere in one another's business,' old Yankee types who tend to be fairly adamant about veteran's rights. We have a lot of vets here, and a large amount of Reservists and National Guardsmen...yet despite his voting record, Sununu keeps getting voted into office! Even my staunchly Republican father has little good to say about him, yet...*sigh* I can't say that I understand his continued popularity. I'm proud, though, of my state in 2006...Shea-Porter has impressed me so far - if her voting record continues the way it has, I'd be happy to do my part to keep her in office.