Agree, but there are multiple relevant questions here. One was brought up by the person who posted that there is a disconnect between the number of people who identify themselves as Republican and those who identify themselves as conservative. One reason for that, IMHO, is that the Democrats have been very successful in mischaracterizing the Republican party. There is a reason why Nancy Pelosi told the media recently that they needed to help the Democrats ‘get the message out’.
Propaganda works, and marketing has becoming a huge determinant in politics. Advertising is a multi-billion dollar business because it truly does influence the consumer. The Republicans are not the ‘cool’ party, and the Democrats have successfully branded them as ‘retro’, anti-science, angry white guys. Not true, but this is what the brand name recognition is for a lot of people - and like it or not, they vote.
Here’s one interesting simile:
Democrats are the fun but bad boy, meanwhile Republicans are like the good guy that is bypassed.
Now, thing is, that right now, voters are going to turn to the Republicans like girls turn to the good guy after a series of bad boy drama. The real key, is to figure out HOW to get the electorate willing to do whatever it takes to do what we want them to do in order to earn our help and support.
Voters wanted the bad boy (Democrats/Obama) badly, but now that the country is a mess, they want the good boy (Republicans/Future GOP President) to make it all better now.
Here’s the key: How do we fix the country, but teach the irresponsible idiots a permanent lesson on WHY getting mixed up with the bad boy was a bad idea and make the moron earn their help.
GW kept the country going and kept the terrorists at bay, but the stupid hippies mouthed off to GW as he was leaving, along with the unpleasant fact that Obama was even elected in the first place. Quite frankly, we’re not going to get good Presidential candidates for the Republican party, or any party, unless the electorate changes their attitudes.
Stinks that decent people get mixed up in the mess, but frankly put, it’s going to take a very changed country to get the best possible leadership into the White House and Congress.