[Sherman Logan]

I agree with the majority of these demands.

However, I’d like to point out the difficulty from a political standpoint with implementing them.

In both the 2000 and 2004 elections the election was about as close as it could get. About 35% of the voters called themselves Republicans and about 35% Democrats.

Today about 42% of likely voters call themselves Democrats and about 32% Republicans. Democrats are jazzed and Republicans are demoralized. If McCain appeals largely to his base, he’s going to be clobbered. His base is just much smaller than Bush’s was.

McCain must appeal to the squishy middle if he is to win. Possibly these demands would accomplish that, but I’m not so sure.

Just because we believe firmly that we are in the right doesn’t necessarily mean most voters agree with us. Unfortunately, the number of votes is all that counts.

[do the dhue]

Very profound statements that I will ponder.

Thank you for the post.

[Fox_Mulder77]

Just because we believe firmly that we are in the right doesn’t necessarily mean most voters agree with us. Unfortunately, the number of votes is all that counts.

How can voters agree with us if they don't know what we stand for?!? Right now the Dems are the party that stands for something, so voters choose them rather than a party that stands for nothing, as is the current Republican party.

And what does McCain stand for?!? Standing for nothing because you're scared people won't like who you are is a great way to be marginalized and rejected. And that's what is happening to the GOP.

[Gondring]

McCain must appeal to the squishy middle if he is to win. Possibly these demands would accomplish that, but I’m not so sure.

Just because we believe firmly that we are in the right doesn’t necessarily mean most voters agree with us. Unfortunately, the number of votes is all that counts.

Agreed. And true conservatism doesn't do well, even in the Republican primary (the only way to come close is by throwing in some gratuitous red-meat nanny-statism and flag-waving...true small-government conservatism gets mocked).

But I urge everyone to go back and listen to some of President Reagan's speeches...even brief snippets will show how compelling a small-government message can be, if presented in the appropriate way and without sniping from the Faux Conservatives. Many young people have never heard the tenets of conservatism expressed.

[penelopesire]

“Today about 42% of likely voters call themselves Democrats and about 32% Republicans.”

I’d be careful with any stats coming from the MSM after ‘Operation Chaos’.

LOL

[Luke21]

Your points are well written and well made, but here's the problem. There's a difference between having a nominee with firm principles who then moves to the center to persuade the general election electorate, versus a party that stands for nothing, alienates its base, and appeals to its enemies for votes. This is the Republican Party.

If that awful cap and trade bill had passed McCain would have signed it, just like Obama. If Congress passes amnesty, McCain will don a sombrero and sign it. He is one of them, a liberal, a betrayer. There are Freepers who can hold their nose anyway. But this is how it will be between now and November. I wish them well.

[norton]

Peggy Noonan said that hillary can't "turn the page" bcause she IS the page.

McCain can appeal to the "squishy middle" for the same reason - he IS the squishy middle.

If republicans across the board loose out on funding, and votes, because of that then so be it.
And, if 2008 leaves us with a party of the left and a party of the squishy middle...maybe there is a message there that both the middle and the right need to take notice of.