[JeffAtlanta]

The base came out big in 04 and that made the difference but you could also say the middle came through as well.

By "base", I'm not just referring to broken glass party loyalists but to those that would be open to voting Republican.

[Bogeygolfer]

By "base", I'm not just referring to broken glass party loyalists but to those that would be open to voting Republican.

That's not a definition of 'base' I'm not familiar with. If so we agree that all possible voters need to be encouraged and supported. It is unlikely however that they will agree with a given set of ideals. That's fine with me, hence the 'big tent'. To have a big tent however you have to be somewhat accommodating and that can be a tough sell around here.