[Antoninus]

the base cannot elect anyone on its own - it can either be part of a coalition that brings some independents along, or we lose. we will be going in 2008 with HUGE baggage.

You can say that again. And I'll say this again--If we run a liberal Republican like the media wants, we lose. The base of the party will simply evaporate--or turn to a 3rd Party.

[oceanview]

some of them will. but that same "some" are never going to be happy unless we put up an unelectable litmus test pure social conservative who wants a wall built at the border. what good is satisfying that segment by teeing up an unelectable candidate? look at the hot threads on FR the last few days, the base has a new litmus test - lesbian women cannot have their OWN babies without being demonized. you think that is going to sell to independents?

at some point, a decision will be made - send up an unknown, "litmus test pure" candidate who is unelectable and lose to Hillary, or take your chances with a moderate, get whatever percentage of the base that is willing to come along, and get some independent votes.