[meadsjn]

Because its the make-up of the electorate. Only 40% of the electorate is conservative. Democrats outnumber Republicans in many swing states like Pennsylvania and Florida. It’s the independents in those states that have the ability to swing the election to the GOP.

And you also slept through the 2010 election? What just happened in those many swing states like PA and FL (and NC, OH, IN, WI, MN, MI, ME, etc., etc.)?

Polarizing is exactly what the voters want. Dem vs. Dem-Lite is only selling on the two left coasts.

[jerry557]

Independents turned on Obama.

Look at the exit polls for independents and compare 2008 to 2010. The GOP turnout was up, but the independents are the voting bloc that moved significantly....especially in Ohio, Indiana, and Florida.

In 2008, 52% of independents voted for Obama. In 2010, only 37% of independents voted for Democrats. That means Obama lost 15% of the independent vote. If the GOP runs a candidate that the independents can’t stand, and that 15% goes back to Obama...we will have trouble beating him. That right there is what Karl Rove is worried about. Palin must try to connect with those independents.