> Nick wrote: > The Republicans have always seen voting as a civic responsibility.
I agreed with you up until here when it became clear that you've integrated your identity and, therefore, self-worth with being a "republican". The Repubs (or Dems) haven't "always" seen anything any way. The issues and party positions have changed drastically over the years. For example, Just 40 or so years ago it was the Democrats that stood for gun owners rights which stemmed from their democrat-farmer-laborer roots. The last elections have come down to a few simple facts - and one of them directly contradicts your contention. To win: 1.) Both parties must mobilize their base. Historically it's the Republicans that have suffered most from this as "republicans" tend to distrust government and therefore won't turn out if they don't like what they see. Bob Dole suffered from this. John McCain is, at least initially. 2.) Both parties must bring in their fringe. For republicans this used to mean social conservatives. Bush has moved the fringe to the base, however. At the expense, I might add, of some of the traditional base. See any recent poll. For Democrats this has been the "greens", the socialists, etc. 3.) Both parties must mobilize and swing the independent vote. This is what Bush has lost in the last 2 years. Rove used quasi-moral and security issues to swing the independents. Clinton used the economy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:209050 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
