5 signs conservatives might be changing

By Stephanie Whiteside / current.com / @stephgwhiteside

The GOP lost spectacularly on Election Day – and they aren't handling it very well. But while the party works its way through the five stages of grief, it appears that conservatives might actually be making some changes to previously unshakable positions. Here are five signs that suggest conservatives may actually be reaching the acceptance stage of grief.

Jennifer Granholm explains the five stages of grief:

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1. Pat Robertson rejecting young-Earth creationism
Noted evangelist Pat Roberston publicly rejected the idea that, based on the Bible, Earth is only 6,000 years old. "They're out there," Robertson said, referring to evidence of dinosaur fossils and evidence from carbon dating. "So there was a time when these giant reptiles were on Earth, and it was before the time of the Bible. So don't try and cover it up and make like everything was 6,000 years. That's not the Bible."

Joy Behar on Pat Robertson suddenly believing in evolution:

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2. A softening stance on immigration
Sean Hannity and Rick Santorum have both loosened up on immigration after drawing a hard line during the presidential campaign. Hannity claimed that he has "evolved" on immigration and would support a pathway to citizenship. Santorum went as far as saying the U.S. needs newcomers to combat a declining population.

3. No more airtime for Rove and Morris
After Dick Morris made failed predictions that Mitt Romney would take the White House in a "landslide" and Karl Rove's election-night meltdown, Fox News is limiting the air time for both big-name conservatives.

4.  Tax rate increases on the table
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham and House Speaker John Boehner have both shown a willingness to compromise on raising taxes. Although he still claims it will be detrimental to the economy, Boehner said he would not rule out a compromise agreement to raise taxes in order to avoid the fiscal cliff. Graham also said that he was willing to abandon Grover Norquist's no-tax pledge.

Congressman Robert Andrews says GOP will cave on taxes:

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5. Homosexuality not a choice
The Mormon Church, which has poured money into anti-gay marriage campaigns, has come out with a new campaign urging compassion for the LGBT community and asserting that being gay is not a choice.

(Photo: Getty Images)