" The more attractive course would be a return to the artful Southerner model of Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton — conservative in style, liberal in substance "
Wrong. It's all about ideology.
Democrats have their ideology and it's 180 from Republicans.
It's like saying that all buggy whip manufacturers have to do for success, is to modify their buggy whips and all will be well for their industry.
If the Democrats say they are now going to be for lower taxes, a strong defense , a moral climate and a climate of life-
they won't be Democrats, they'll be Republicans.
I think Gay marriage is coming up for a vote in Kansas next April.
I imagine it would be coming up again in Louisiana after some court struck down their vote. I won't be surprised if it comes up for a vote in Washington State after some recent lunacy among their courts on this issue also.