He also suggested eliminating the state income tax and took a strong pro-life, anti-abortion position.
The anti-abortion position is identified with and has been pushed by the Republicans, with some individual exceptions.
Republican candidates for Governor in both states, feeling the pressure, have softened their anti-abortion positions.
In 1984 and 1988, the anti-abortion position held sway.
But he did not back down from his strong anti-abortion position.
The problem is, embracing the religious right - and its anti-abortion position - also risks creating a third party, or perhaps a new Democratic majority.
President Bush demeans the "culture of life" by using it as a catch phrase for his administration's anti-abortion position.
But if you take it seriously, the anti-abortion position is definitive by definition.
By one report, he has advised young Republican candidates to stay away from the anti-abortion position.