Republican Strategist Karl Rove writes in the Wall Street Journal that part of the GOP’s problem today is coming off insensitive on social issues, something the news media seizes upon:

Republicans need not jettison their principles. But they must avoid appearing judgmental and callous on social issues. Offensive comments about rape by GOP Senate candidates in Missouri and Indiana gave the media an excuse to put social issues at the election’s center in a way that badly hurt the entire party, as well as costing Republicans two Senate seats.