[dirtboy]

Foreign policy issues now provide the clearest distinction between Republican- and Democratic-leaning voters, with Republicans favoring assertive policies and military action and Democrats calling for diplomacy and multilateral strategies. Before the Sept. 11 attacks, foreign policy differences played a minimal role in distinguishing the party coalitions.

Come 2006 and 2008, unless there is another major terror attack, IMO illegal immigration, outsourcing and the importation of workers from other countries will become the flash issues.

And, if the terror attack comes from thugs sneaking over the border, that will be doubly so.

I see the existing political alignments going through enormous upheavals over the next three to seven years. The question is, if the GOP continues to ignore its base over immigration, will a third party emerge - and will that emerging third party become a player or just a spoiler?

[Josh in PA]

I believe the Third Party will become a player if it can get organized properly.

Because they will draw disenchanted blue-collar Democrats who are sick of illegals and tired of the party running to the far-left with Howard Dean types as well as Republicans.

[winner3000]

The challenge for the GOP is to do something about immigration without alienating the huge and growing hispanic population.