This would suggest that the Bush vote was suppressed. I'm willing to believe that he would have won by more than the 3.5% popular margin.
I somewhat agree with Coulter that Rove should have been more forward with the traditional values positions... it should have been test-marketed someplace to see how it was received.
If there's a fear that it can be easily ridiculed and easily dismissed by the one-speak attacks in the news media, then I would agree. The people who want to hear this message in the Repub base heard it on talk radio.
Beyond the base, that's the challenge. How does on step around the media bias and reach those with moderate political views, but who still hold to traditional marriage and family values.
I'm not sure, but I know that you've got to try. Test-marketing in smaller markets is how product promotions are refined.
"I somewhat agree with Coulter that Rove should have been more forward with the traditional values positions... it should have been test-marketed someplace to see how it was received."
It was marketed in 1992 by George H. W. Bush when he ran a "family values" campaign. We all know the dismal outcome of that election.
W's moral decency speaks for itself. Karl Rove knows that, and so do 58 million other people, including Ann Coulter. Neither the President nor other conservatives need to go around the country proclaiming they are holier than thou.