Here’s a bit more on the conservative-libertarian divide, from my column today in The New York Post:

If Republicans won the 2004 election based on the War on Terror — if “soccer moms” became “security moms” for at least one election — what happens if the threat of terrorism fades in Americans’ minds?

Or if the Democrats actually come up with a candidate who’s credible on national defense? Those hawk-like noises emanating from New York lately aren’t coming from the displaced birds on Fifth Avenue.

Like it or not, Republicans are almost certainly going to have to find a way to appeal to middle-of-the-road voters on issues other than terrorism in coming years — and that will mean some movement back toward the libertarian wing of the party.

Michael Barone, author of “The Almanac of American Politics,” spoke at CPAC about “How the Good Guys Won.” Afterward, he told me, “There are huge differences between the age groups” on Social Security and gay marriage. While Social Security cuts in the Republicans’ favor among younger voters, Barone said he doesn’t expect these voters to moderate their views on gay rights. “If I had to guess, I think this is one of the issues on which they will stay the same,” he said.

What’s more, Barone isn’t terribly confident that voters, young or old, can be won over simply by making them into investors — as some Republicans, intent on expanding an “investor class” through the privatization of Social Security, believe they can do.

“If you’re in New York, you know there are a lot of investors who are voting for Democrats on social issues,” he said.

Whole thing here.