[reformedliberal]

Just look at the percentages of votes for Buchanan, Keyes, Browne and that non-entity heading the less-than-visible Constitution Party. All together these voters are less than 5% of the electorate.

They will never elect anyone, not even their mythical generic conservative.

They adore being begged and pleaded with. It makes them feel important. They want a party w/o any former Democrats, gays, Hispanics or blacks. I have read exactly that sentiment on many of posts claiming *principles*.

What is important is the vastly larger constituency for pragmatic & compassioante conservatism. Once, some of us were on the Left. No longer. I think the reason we are not seeing much if any *undecideds* in the polls, is that the former undecideds have decided...........for Bush and the Republicans.

I am heartened by the articles being written that explicate the pragmatics of this election. Most of us get it. Those who don't will bitch, regardless and throw their vote away to non-entities w/out a chance or a clue. It is much more important to appeal to rational voters who have voted Democrat based on having been lied to and accepting it.

GWB is a moderate Republican w/some conservative beliefs. He isn't Barry Goldwater. Heck, today, I wonder if Goldwater would be the Goldwater of 1964. I seem to recall he changed to the left as he aged.

Like Supreme Court Justices, Presidents are changed by their office. Any of the conservatives touted by the unappeasables would have to become a moderate if a miracle happened and they were elected. Otherwise, it is impossible to govern.

GWB has done more to move us toward a pragmatic conservatism than any President in my 61 years. He will not move us towards a dogmatic conservatism and neither would anyone else who, once elected, suddenly had to deal with the domestic and foreign realities of the world as it is.

So, let's just recognize the principles of the unappeasables and move on. We have a President and a Congress to elect and we can do it w/o the 5%.

[onyx]

You have eloquently stated our case. Thank you.

*ping* to a fabulous post #188.

[Wolfstar]

Thanks for the ping, Onyx. Reformedliberal, I have taken heart from your post #188. I've been discouraged lately thanks to the ceaseless carping and complaining on these threads and elsewhere. The last couple of days my discouragement has turned to an impatient anger.

You wrote: "I think the reason we are not seeing much if any *undecideds* in the polls, is that the former undecideds have decided...for Bush and the Republicans." I hope with all my heart you're right about this.

One thing you are definitely right about is the uselessness of arguing with the "pitchfork brigade" and their kin in other minor parties.

[My2Cents]

I've often said on these threads that Bush isn't an ideological conservative, but he has conservative instincts. I trust his instincts, and I'd rather have a President govern and make decision based on his heart and his character than on some rigid sense of ideology. And on issues where I tend to disagree with him, I know that he has taken the positions he has because he honestly believes they are right, and the best for the general good. I respect that.

Your comments, btw, are excellent.

[Henrietta]

"They want a party w/o any former Democrats, gays, Hispanics or blacks. I have read exactly that sentiment on many of posts claiming *principles*."

Oh, yeah...we're all just bigots.

I used to be a Dem. And I have no problem with Blacks, gays, hispanics, or anyone else who wants to join the GOP

[TomasUSMC]

Some say We have a President and a Congress to elect and we can do it w/o the 5%. Well that wasn't true in the last election was it? Much less than 5 percent would have decided it either way. Matter-of-fact, had the Green party not run, Gore would have won easily.