[beeler]

Absolutely fantastic column, but I think he might be overestimating the involvement of conservatives in the Republican party. The extended base hasn't been energized enough to come out in significant numbers since Reagan (the last decisive presidential elections), so their lack of involvement in '06 and '08 probably won't matter that much anyway.

[ichabod1]

but I think he might be overestimating the involvement of conservatives in the Republican party.

A strong analysis. Unfortunately we have to remember that, probably, the majority of the Republicans now are former democrats that have bailed on the socialist, anti-American agenda.

I believe that the time may be ripe for a third party, a conservative party, that would draw the right wing of the Republican party to it. This could be the stake in the heart of the democrat vampire. A tectonic shift in American Politics, preserving the two party system, but placing the democrat party on the ash heap of history. There is precedent for this in terms of the democrat, Whig, and Republican parties.