Do you think if Romney loses the Republican party will rethink catering to the "base" of the party?

Or, do you think if Romney loses the base will say it is because Romney had a political history of being moderate, even dare I say liberal, on some issues?

I keep waiting for Republicans to let go of issues like gay marriage and abortion. Many northen Republicans are socially liberal, but the bible belt seems to hold on strong to a conservative stance on these things. I find it very frustrating, and one of the big obstacles in politics in America. I really don’t understand catering to them so heavily. I get why it worked previously, but I don’t understand continuing with it in the future.