Real Clear Politics interviewed Pat Toomey this past week.

Amidst questions about campaign strategy,Toomey was asked directly about his record of social conservatism, and how that could impact the Senate race:

RCP: You are an avowed social conservative. Rick Santorum’s social conservatism seemed to hurt him with Pennsylvania voters, particularly exurban voters, when he ran for reelection in 2006. How do you get around that?
Toomey: First of all, 2006 and 2010 are two very different years. But probably more importantly, my focus throughout this race has been on job growth in the private sector, restoring fiscal discipline in Washington, and bringing some balance to a town that has lost all balance.
I think there is an overwhelming consensus that those are the right ideas, so I have enjoyed tremendously broad support all across Pennsylvania, very much including Pennsylvania suburbs. I’m confident I’m going to continue to have that support, because those are the issues voters care about. They agree with me. They disagree with Joe Sestak on those vital issues.

In a year when Republicans and Tea Party protesters alike are sticking like glue to debt and spending issues, the “values” conversation has been more or less abandoned by politicians afraid of hitting the wrong note with a concerned citizenry.