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Get Ready for a Democratic Era [Barf Alert!]
washingtonpost.com ^ | 12/23/07 | John B. Judis and Ruy Teixeira

Posted on 12/22/2007 3:57:15 PM PST by melt

Karl Rove's grandest aspiration was to create a Republican majority that would dominate American politics for a generation or more. But as the effects of his distinctive brand of fear-mongering fade, it's the Democrats who are poised to become the country's majority party -- and perhaps for a long time to come.

Many conservatives have insisted that the Democrats' wins in the 2006 midterm elections, as well as their recent pickups in some 2007 races, were mere blips. They wish. Political, ideological, demographic and economic trends are all leading toward durable Democratic majorities in Congress, control of most statehouses and, very possibly, the end of the decades-old GOP hammerlock on the electoral college.

This sea change is the result of the electorate's disenchantment with conservative Republicans, beginning in the 1990s. The old conservative majority, as given voice by Ronald Reagan and Newt Gingrich, sought to cut federal regulation, to privatize government operations and to slash social spending. But by late in Bill Clinton's presidency, broad public majorities had come to back environmental and consumer regulation, as well as significant new government spending on health care and education. As President Bush discovered in 2005, the public also disliked attempts to gut Social Security.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: 2008; democratera; democrats; elections; idiotsinmedia; surrender; welfarestate
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Title should more correctly read: "Get Ready for a Democratic Eerie".

God help us.

1 posted on 12/22/2007 3:57:17 PM PST by melt
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To: melt
This sea change is the result of the electorate's disenchantment with conservative Republicans, beginning in the 1990s

No, the change is due to Republicans acting like Democrats.

2 posted on 12/22/2007 3:59:21 PM PST by imdref
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To: melt
Get ready for a Democratic Error. If Hillary is nominated a Republican will be in the White House after Bush leaves.
3 posted on 12/22/2007 4:01:20 PM PST by hflynn ( Soros would not make any sense even if he spelled his name backwards)
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To: melt

I firmly believe that half of those that disapprove of Bush wish he was more conservative, not less.


4 posted on 12/22/2007 4:02:49 PM PST by neodad (USS Wabash (AOR 5) The Wabash Cannonball)
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To: melt

What this jerk doesn’t realize is that the ordinary person is sick and tired of Congress’ shenanigans under RAT control. The RATS may take the WH in 08 since the PUBS have nothing running that’s better but Congress will go PUB in ‘08.


5 posted on 12/22/2007 4:02:54 PM PST by lilylangtree (Veni, Vidi, Vici)
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To: melt

But my kids tell me that college kids are becoming more conservative, rebelling against the college status quo. The professors are all liberal so to rebel the kids have to go more conservative, but they are going for RON PAUL not the others.


6 posted on 12/22/2007 4:08:30 PM PST by buffyt (Free Border Agents Ramos and Campean before Christmas PLEASE!)
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To: imdref
I guess they forgot about the Blue Dog Democrats that are walking the fine line between reelection and pleasing the House D-rat masters.
7 posted on 12/22/2007 4:08:39 PM PST by PeteB570 (Guns, what real men want for Christmas)
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To: lilylangtree
What this jerk doesn’t realize is that the ordinary person is sick and tired of Congress’ shenanigans under RAT control. The RATS may take the WH in 08 since the PUBS have nothing running that’s better but Congress will go PUB in ‘08.

Those who don't learn from history are condemned to repeat its mistakes.

Rhetoric like this is eerily reminiscent of what was being said at the time Bill Clinton won in 1992. We know exactly how long that "enduring Democrat Era" lasted: 2 years.

If the Dems want to get all overconfident, fine with me. What they don't seem to get - ever - is that the average American centrist voter (the one who ultimately decides political control of the nation) supports things like "universal health care" and "enviromentalism" only in the abstract; once the government starts doing things that are tangible, such as increasing taxes to pay for it, or lowering their quality of life to support it, they react in a VERY negative manner.
8 posted on 12/22/2007 4:11:03 PM PST by tanknetter
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To: neodad

Very much wish that G.W. Bush was more conservative especially on the illegal immigration problem.


9 posted on 12/22/2007 4:11:45 PM PST by xtinct (I was the next door neighbor kid's imaginary friend.)
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To: melt
Ruy Teixeira, a fellow at the Center for American Progress

Soros is heard from through one of his well-funded outlets.

10 posted on 12/22/2007 4:12:00 PM PST by gusopol3
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To: PeteB570

The problem is a republican hasn’t won California, Illinois, Pennsylvanian, or New Jersey since 1988.

That means that every republican goes into an election 112 electoral votes in the hole.


11 posted on 12/22/2007 4:12:01 PM PST by Perdogg (Fred Thompson for President)
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To: melt
This sea change is the result of the electorate's disenchantment with conservative Republicans,...

This sea change is the result of the electorate's disenchantment with conservative Republicans, who tote more of a political attitude rather than a conservative attitude.

The perfect definition of a RINO.

12 posted on 12/22/2007 4:14:41 PM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: xtinct
Very much wish that G.W. Bush was more conservative especially on the illegal immigration problem.

Thanks be to God that we have him in these times however.

13 posted on 12/22/2007 4:16:47 PM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: Perdogg

The article fails to mention most of the Democrats recent gains have been made by their candidates taking more Conservative positions on some issues.


14 posted on 12/22/2007 4:18:05 PM PST by OCC
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To: lilylangtree
The RATS may take the WH in 08 since the PUBS have nothing running that’s better but Congress will go PUB in ‘08.

Your optimism is worthy of praise. /s

15 posted on 12/22/2007 4:20:10 PM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: EGPWS

Bush’s disapproval rating with conservatives is probably higher than DemocRats. We support his war efforts, but we all know that the problem with illegal aliens is also a long term war that we haven’t even started fighting.
This election is about only one thing..illegal immigration.
No Republican will be elected without a firm stand on that.
If we have to fight the immigration issue with pressure on every congress criter every day..we will..


16 posted on 12/22/2007 4:21:49 PM PST by Oldexpat
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To: tanknetter
What they don't seem to get - ever -...

Is intelligence and focus with concern for what is best for America.

17 posted on 12/22/2007 4:24:25 PM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: imdref
This sea change is the result of the electorate's disenchantment with conservative Republicans, beginning in the 1990s

No, the change is due to Republicans acting like Democrats.

Why is this so hard to understand?

When Republicans run as conservatives, they win. Because conservative voters turn out for them in droves.

When Republicans act as Democrats, they lose. Because conservative voters stay home.

The balance of power in virtually every election since 1980 has thus been held by the conservative voter. If we come out, Republicans win. If we don't, the Democrats win.

To pretend otherwise, as Judis and Teixeira are, is simply leftist twaddle.

You would think the GOP would've figured it out by now...

18 posted on 12/22/2007 4:24:53 PM PST by okie01 (THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA: Ignorance on Parade)
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To: Oldexpat
Bush’s disapproval rating with conservatives is probably higher than DemocRats.

You're being a dream weaver.

19 posted on 12/22/2007 4:26:07 PM PST by EGPWS (Trust in God, question everyone else)
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To: melt

Well The Wash Post is bailing water hard to keep the sinking Congressional RATS from looking all wet.

RAT era indeed. The have nothing they can actually truthfully represent to voters and survive an election. They have to deceive, distort ansd outright lie.

Fraid its more like a RAT’s Ass Second they have gotten.


20 posted on 12/22/2007 4:33:47 PM PST by rod1
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To: melt

So how did the Democrats do in Louisina?

Hmmm?


21 posted on 12/22/2007 4:35:17 PM PST by Pikachu_Dad
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To: Perdogg

In California, much of the Dem majority is due to motor-voter.


22 posted on 12/22/2007 4:36:40 PM PST by originalbuckeye
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To: melt
But by late in Bill Clinton's presidency, broad public majorities had come to back environmental and consumer regulation, as well as significant new government spending on health care and education.

I want some of what they're smoking.

23 posted on 12/22/2007 4:37:08 PM PST by The_Victor (If all I want is a warm feeling, I should just wet my pants.)
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To: OCC

You are absolutely right! Thank you for reminding us.


24 posted on 12/22/2007 4:43:54 PM PST by georgia peach (georgia peach)
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To: Pikachu_Dad

Excellent!!!!And in the R.I. statehouse?


25 posted on 12/22/2007 4:44:50 PM PST by georgia peach (georgia peach)
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To: Perdogg

That plus the fact that a lot of traditionally RED states have been turning BLUE. This is due to liberal from neighboring states escaping and then trying to turn those states into the Hell Holes they left. New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Nevada come to mind. Not that these are huge electoral-wise, but when things are tight, every state counts. Before 1990, CA was a mainstay Republican state. Losing it was a huge blow. It happened in large part due to the ever shrinking Defense industry, unchecked immigration, and the Motor Voter law. You can thank GHWB for that.


26 posted on 12/22/2007 4:45:31 PM PST by rbg81 (DRAIN THE SWAMP!!)
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To: melt

Actually - the title seems like it could be almost prophetic. If the Republicans nominate a looser who alienates the conservative base, I can pretty much guarantee the Dems will be ruling. And the way they like to wield power (unlike how the Republicans were whimps when they had power but wasted it), we are likely to see Dems in control for a long time through every conceivable twist of rules, new rules, and generally anything they can do to hold power.

And we will deserve it... The coming Democrat dynasty, I believe, will spell the end of the United States of America. And the Republican Party will be complicit.


27 posted on 12/22/2007 4:45:55 PM PST by TheBattman (LORD God, please help us to elect a Godly and patriotic man for President in 08, Amen.)
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To: melt
This sea change is the result of the electorate's disenchantment with conservative Republicans

Actually, most of us were/are disenchanted with LIBERAL Republicans (RINO's) and so called MODERATE Republicans (also RINO's).

Liberals do believe that if they lie enough, to the public and themselves, that eventually it becomes true. Truly disturbed people!

28 posted on 12/22/2007 4:47:49 PM PST by technomage (Radical Islam makes me want to go to the bathroom and drop a big mohammed!)
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To: tanknetter
What they don't seem to get - ever - is that the average American centrist voter (the one who ultimately decides political control of the nation) supports things like "universal health care" and "enviromentalism" only in the abstract; once the government starts doing things that are tangible, such as increasing taxes to pay for it, or lowering their quality of life to support it, they react in a VERY negative manner.

That's not centrist, that's schizo. People like that shouldn't even get near a voting booth.

29 posted on 12/22/2007 4:49:48 PM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Tagline auction at this location, 01/01/2008)
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To: melt
Karl Rove's brand of fear-mongering? I think this is called "projection." The Democrats would never win any elections without heavy doses of fear-mongering...scare the elderly, scare blacks, scare Hispanics, scare women, scare students, etc.

Of course a lot of Democrats think the war on terror is a myth, simply a fear-mongering device of the Republicans. Once Hillary gets in and sends Bill on a round-the-world goodwill tour, all our foreign problems will disappear, and the nasty Republicans will have to find other fears to monger.

30 posted on 12/22/2007 4:55:53 PM PST by Verginius Rufus
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To: melt
"Karl Rove's grandest aspiration was to create a Republican majority that would dominate American politics for a generation or more."

The idea is to get approval of the electorate. If 50+% of individuals are not happy with the state of their personal economy, Rove blew a wasted opportunity for the GOP.

Bush I blew it on taxes and Bush II may have blown it with making China one of his favorite trading nations. He traded jobs to control inflation. The next election will tell if it worked or not.

31 posted on 12/22/2007 4:58:33 PM PST by ex-snook ("Above all things, truth beareth away the victory.")
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To: hflynn
Get ready for a Democratic Error. If Hillary is nominated a Republican will be in the White House after Bush leaves.

I tend to agree. However, if Hillary is elected POTUS, my shallow faith in the semi- intelligence of the sheeple of this nation will be irrevocably evaporated. I truly fear for my country if the Leftoids gain complete control.

32 posted on 12/22/2007 4:59:34 PM PST by appleharvey
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To: buffyt
to rebel the kids have to go more conservative, but they are going for RON PAUL

That's called going insane... not conservative.

33 posted on 12/22/2007 5:02:18 PM PST by SolidWood (Al Gore: "I have never heard of this, but I think it is a very good idea,")
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To: melt

These guys said the same thing in a book about the emerging democratic majority right about the time that Bush won in 2ooo. They’re like a broken record that can’t get beyond the deep scratch.


34 posted on 12/22/2007 5:03:58 PM PST by Mr.Smorch ("A Hillary Clinton presidency would result in a weaker economy and a weaker America" Dick Morris)
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To: melt
"..broad public majorities had come to back environmental and consumer regulation, as well as significant new government spending on health care and education..."

Nanny state screwheads.

35 posted on 12/22/2007 5:11:31 PM PST by Anti-Bubba182
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To: OCC
The Post article assumes that the democrats are getting full support from their constituents. Not so.

Many democrats wandered off the reservation to campaign as centrists. The democrat street let them slide because of their (D)s but weren't happy and pledged to ruun more radical candidates against them if they didn't walk the leftist walk in office. Pelosi, Murtha, Reid and others campaigned on ending the war -IMMEDIATELY! Not only have they failed. We have increased war funding, we have more troops in Iraq than before the election and the surge is working.

This isn't making the Daily Kos and Code Pink crowds very happy. If Hillary goes to the convention with enough delegates to make her the nominee we could have massive demonstrations staged for the viewing audiences across the nation. This could turn a lot of the center away from the party of defeat and taxes.

The task will be to get them to vote (R) instead of just staying at home.

36 posted on 12/22/2007 5:11:44 PM PST by Baynative (Liberals think freedom comes at no cost, just like health care.)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Like your tagline.

I don’t post here much anymore...my “old fashioned”, “out of date” view of conservatism does not seem to fit with most people today—even with an “R” behind their name.

Just recently—I made some comments on another “Conservative” site, regarding homosexuality—and how it is NOT a “normal” lifestyle, that homosexuals should NOT be free to “display their affections for each other in CHURCH, and that any church that openly allows such is NOT a church I would want to attend—or, in my opinion, following God’s will.

The responses were predictable, but something I would expect MORE from KOS or DU—NOT from “Christians”.

As I told them—When “conservatives” start to think and act like liberals, talking about acceptance, tolerance, prejudices and such— SOMEONE needs to take a stand!!

But—it seems few want to listen anymore.

37 posted on 12/22/2007 5:12:41 PM PST by Rca2000 (This White male DOES know what it means to be "down for the struggle"!!)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
That's not centrist, that's schizo. People like that shouldn't even get near a voting booth.

A couple decades of polling and research show it to be true. Ask a "centrist" voter whether they support everyone having health care and they'll answer yes. Then ask them whether they'll support having their taxes raised to make it happen ...

This is one of the big reasons why the GOP won so big in 1994. The Clintons were relying on polling showing the public in "favor" of HillaryCare. Once the public became aware of the fact (thanks to things like the Harry & Louise series of advertisements) that they were actually going to have to pay for it, plus it was going to be run by the same folks who ran the Post Office, they handed the reigns of power over to the Republicans.
38 posted on 12/22/2007 5:12:43 PM PST by tanknetter
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To: melt
Karl Rove's grandest aspiration was to create a Republican majority that would dominate American politics for a generation

But he made one major mistake. In his desire to create a Republican majority, he ran "electable" RINO candidates who could get elected but who had few to no conservative principles from which to govern.

And when a true conservative like Pat Toomey or Bret Schundler managed to contest the Rove RINO, the White House shunned them. The result was a Republican majority with no conservative convictions and no balls.

Balancing conservatism with electability is a tricky concept but, too often, Rove simply sold out to whatever liberal would switch parties in order to get elected. It explains why so many conservatives are thinking of going third-party or staying home this time around. They feel the Republican Party has left them.

39 posted on 12/22/2007 5:22:00 PM PST by Tall_Texan (No Third Term For Bill Clinton!)
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To: Mr.Smorch

Wow: The Washington Post in in full retroactive mode in anticipation of Obama’s Iowas win — they think it’s the 60’s all over again.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/21/AR2007122101920_Comments.html


40 posted on 12/22/2007 5:22:49 PM PST by Nick Thimmesch
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To: Mr.Smorch

Wow: The Washington Post is in full retroactive mode in anticipation of Obama’s Iowas win — they think it’s the 60’s all over again.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/21/AR2007122101920_Comments.html


41 posted on 12/22/2007 5:23:07 PM PST by Nick Thimmesch
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To: melt

The problem with the Democrats is that by and large they are insane (Gore-bot!) liars. All we need to do is nominate smart candidates who tell the truth, and we will do fine.

Go Fred!


42 posted on 12/22/2007 5:25:43 PM PST by devere
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To: melt

Other than “whistling past the graveyard”, there are two purposes to an article like this: to bash Bush (hence the Rove reference), and to scare panic-stricken inside the Beltway Republicans into adopting a more liberal tone (hence “you’re driving Latinos away with your anti-immigration rhetoric”, “people want free health care” and “the further away we are from 9/11, the less people care about terrorism”). The most significant thing about this article is the one topic it studiously avoids: higher taxes. Democrat Utopia cannot be brought about without ever increasing taxation. Therefore this article is a photographic negative of a blueprint for Republican victory: hang tough on low taxes, show the Democrats no mercy for their stand on illegal immigration (meaning no Huckster or McCain for the GOP), and remind people that if they’ve forgotten about terrorism, it’s not because the Democrats want every terrorist to have an ACLU lawyer.


43 posted on 12/22/2007 5:27:49 PM PST by pawdoggie
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To: melt
The Posties are always dreaming of the sort of fascist future only the Democrats can deliver.

That's why they have to be stopped.

44 posted on 12/22/2007 5:28:37 PM PST by muawiyah
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To: Baynative
Pelosi, Murtha, Reid and others campaigned on ending the war -IMMEDIATELY! Not only have they failed. We have increased war funding, we have more troops in Iraq than before the election and the surge is working.

And Code Pink/Mother Sheehan have faded in to the background.

45 posted on 12/22/2007 5:29:47 PM PST by OCC
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To: okie01
When Republicans run as conservatives, they win. Because conservative voters turn out for them in droves.

I realize that this is the mantra on FR. Personally I would always prefer a Conservative. However, there is more to winning elections than this. If your statement is true, we should expect to see "conservative voters turn out... in droves" for Thompson and Hunter in the primaries. If this does not happen, does the thesis still hold? Or do we go back to blaming the MSM?

46 posted on 12/22/2007 5:32:01 PM PST by outofstyle (My Ride's Here)
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To: imdref
No, the change is due to Republicans acting like Democrats.

This opinion has been repeated over and over and there is no proof whatsoever that it is true. There isn't one voter with a half a brain that would ever vote for a Democrat believing that the Democrat would be more likely to cut spending.

The danger in believing this is that the real reason Republicans lost could be overlooked.

If this was true, why do we not have all kinds of politicians promising to cut spending? Because we're beyond that point in America. The truth is everyone is standing with their hands out. They believe in Santa Claus. They want their goodies.

I wish this theory were true. There would be hope because individuals would be willing to sacrifice but after all, we've become accustomed to the term "entitlements". We can't have it both ways.

It's going to take some really good educating.

47 posted on 12/22/2007 5:38:17 PM PST by Conservativegreatgrandma
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To: melt

Yeah, Clinton sure created a whole bunch of new democrats!! So many that it took twelve years to get the House back and they had to pretend to be republicans to do it!


48 posted on 12/22/2007 5:38:38 PM PST by bpjam (Harry Reid doesn't even have 32% of my approval)
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To: melt

49 posted on 12/22/2007 5:40:06 PM PST by SampleMan (We are a free and industrious people. Socialist nannies do not become us.)
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To: Perdogg

Pennsylvania is winnable


50 posted on 12/22/2007 5:43:07 PM PST by devere
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