Adapt or Perish?

President Obama is scheduled to speak at the Commencement ceremony of Notre Dame this year. There has been reported quite a backlash from some students, staff, financial supporters of Notre Dame and Catholics at large. This protest in spite of the fact that, in polls, the majority of Notre Dame students chose Obama.

I mention this because it has regenerated a discussion between a strict Conservative friend and myself. The subject, my contention that the Republican party has been unwilling to yield to a society whose values have evolved. To ignore that 54% of Catholics voted for Obama in '08 is a mistake. I guess if you're willing to keep shedding different factions of society, our party can shrink to insignificance, along with the positive things it represents.

Do you believe that the GOP should adapt a more progressive social platform? Or do you think this was or even will be a consideration to voters when we are facing the current financial crisis and the war on terrorism?