IMO, we are losing the battle. In order to win any further National elections, we need everyone on board, and as you can see, that is not going to happen.
This leaves a presidential candidate with but one choice to make if he wants to win. That would be moving to the center during the primary, which is what is happening now. This runs contrary to the notion that you must capture and solidify the base first. It has always been so, but the base is now split with the socials occupying about a third of it. That third is being slowly written off by all the major candidates, even though they will deny it. They must move ahead and make up the difference with the electorate center, because to embrace that minority one third of the base will sink the candidacy of any running in 2008.
It's a damn shame, but it is a reality, and has happened before. The Republican Party will be forced to change as a result. The Dems are moving left, alienating their base, and we have to move to pick them up in order to win Nationally.
This is causing a great deal of anger and it will continue for some time to come. Nobody likes changes, but the changes will occur regardless.
I suspect that a Ross Perot will appear to scoop them up very soon. If not this cycle, then the next. It's just a matter of time.
We did not cause this to happen, and are not responsible for it. It is the nature of the swinging pendulum, and the leftward drift of America of the rest of the world. It is political realities of present and past, and if this generation does not address them, then the next generation will. If the choice of some is self imposed isolation, then that is their choice. If they kick and scream on the way down, the fall was their choice to make.
I would not let it bother you any more. It is not worth the anger and worry.
You’re right, Cold Heat. It’s most unfortunate, but there’s nothing we can do about it. Dang it!
And you fail to mention 2nd amendment voters in your little screed. Gun rights voters AND social conservatives make up FAR more than one/third of the party.