Yes indeed, good character is everything, and sadly in such short supply. Let's hope and pray some people of solid character appear quickly on our political scene.

You want to convince this guy to... what?  Vote Republican?

I would like to convince him that voting for the Republican  party and supporting the Republican party would be what's best for the country.

I still see the Republican party as having  a big enough tent for conservatives and libertarians. The ones who should be kicked  out from the tent are the big-government Republicans--the McCains, the Bushs, the Christies.
For both conservatives and libertarians, the real enemy is socialism, and big government, as  currently practiced by the Democratic party and Obama.
This should be a cause for unity rather than splintering. I think most
libertarians see that, but this particular friend doesn't.
To a lot of people's complaint, that the current GOP is neither conservative or libertarian, I see your point. We have our purging to do to be sure.  But did not 2010 Congressional Tea Party surge show that Republicans are capable of self-correction? How about Romney's choice of a fiscal conservative for VP in Paul Ryan? Was that not hope?

Even if the gap between social conservatives and libertarians seems wide, should not the Barack Obama's presidency be the bridge ?  Apparently it wasn't enough to motivate libertarians.
I can understand not liking the Republican party ( some days I don't like it) because of libertarian principles. But to not support the GOP in a political environment of  a Democrat-liberal majority, goes against a libertarian's interest, I would think. That's what I hope to convince my friend. "Look put aside our differences and let's beat the liberals. We're not agree on everything but at least we agree on fiscal conservatism.Then we can fight amongst ourselves later. "

"I imagine that you both have a lot of common ground, no?"

We're both fiscal conservatives, pro-2nd Amendment, and pro-civil-liberties/ privacy advocates. So that's a start;) This person is a good friend. And very reasonable. We have the same background, same school, same profession.
Here's a recent exchange. He has a good point.
Him: "This is why both parties are a joke. Quoting wikipedia: 'The Obama administration's budget request contained $2.627 trillion in revenues and $3.729 trillion in outlays (expenditures) for 2012, for a deficit of $1.101 trillion.[41] The April 2011 Republican plan contained $2.533 trillion in revenues and $3.529 trillion in outlays, for a deficit of $0.996 trillion.[42] '

My Reply: on the surface, the difference between 1.101 and 0.996 trillion looks like nothing. But it's still 100 billion dollars saved. If the Republican plan saved 100 billion dollars and the plan was to ramp up that deficit reduction each year by a percent--while at the same time cutting spending, we'd be out of the hole in 15 years

Anybody who thinks Republicans should shut up about social issues--that we could fix the economy and the country by electing libertarians who just don't care about the institution of marriage--has another thing coming.

Well said, Peter.

And to those who say: "well what about divorce, what about this, or that..."
Bill O'Reilly's best line: You can't excuse bad behavior with more bad behavior.

Sigh, another special edition of Ricochet!
May we please just bring back the regular, run-of-the mill Ricochet podcast? And can we have it at the same time each week so I know when to look for it.
I don't like these "special" podcasts on cruise ships and taking question from members. I'm a conservative, I'm naturally resistant to new and novel things.
I signed up for a paid subscription  so I could hear the regular Lileks, Long and Robinson commenting on topical issues with a named, conservative pundit.
Don't be afraid to be boring and routine! There's enough novelty in the world.

This  post is spot-on. Thank you. It's time for a split. Social-cons hiding in the background is a recipe for failure.
Here's a silver lining  for social-cons from the unlikeliest place--Massachusetts.

Thanks. Have been eagerly awaiting this week's  flagship Ricochet podcast. It is simply the best ...but yeah,  that photo's gotta go.