Righties to GOP: Stick to Shrinking Gov't

Gay Republicans and Tea Party leaders are calling on Congressional Republicans to steer clear of social issues, Politico reports. In a letter, advocates ask John Boehner and Mitch McConnell to focus on “the principles of the Tea Party movement”—which they say have nothing to do with social issues. “This election was not a mandate for the Republican Party, nor was it a mandate to act on any social issue,” the letter holds.

The Tea Party is “laser-focused on the size of government,” says the head of a gay Republican group. Adds a Tea Party activist: “When they were out in the Boston Harbor, they weren't arguing about who was gay or who was having an abortion.” Among the 17 signatories are conservative activists and pundits like Tammy Bruce. (More gay rights stories.)