One can certainly be confused about the differences between attracting and chasing, but it is certainly easy to see the divide between attracting and dismissing.
The centrist middle swung to the democrats in the last election, and it was most notable in the South, where the GOP had established a power base.
In my own State. The GOP was decimated. This in spite of straight ticket voters like myself. This process has been going on since 2000, and it culminated in a complete rout last November. We elected no Republicans to any important office and we lost the few we had.
This is not a anomaly, and I see nothing being done to stop it.
My guess is that the GOP understands the situation and will be very cautious in this cycle so that it retains some funds, and does not over extend in a climate where more losses are inevitable.
The reason why, is this screwed up base, that you contend is in the process of getting better as it pursues a more conservative agenda.
In reality, it is this very mindset that is destroying the future political prospects of the party.
But carry on.....The death of the party is not very far off, and when it comes, the rebuilding will begin. Some believe the sooner the better.
I would be inclined to agree with them. We don't want to leave the Dem's in charge, any longer than necessary, and it will take a bit of time for the public to see the truth about the false perceptions they have created. All this must occur before any opportunity will emerge for the GOP, and the interim chaos will not change the timetable a bit. I'm guessin 2014 will be the first opportunity to come.
What is happening now is very much like the final panic of a heard of cattle before they all jump off the cliff together.
I plan to watch it with some amusement. But it has all happened before, and will happen again as history repeats and repeats, and repeats......
I wish things were different, but I have accepted the reality of the moment. I will continue to try to mitigate the damages, but i suspect all attempts will certainly fail miserably.
This Duncan Hunter knee jerk is just one more nail in the coffin as we play the game that the Dem's have skillfully led us into.
Oh, for cryin' out loud, grow some thicker skin. This is primary season, which on FR is a full-contact sport - it was just this way in 1999. Both sides are throwing shots, and both will shrug it off just like rugby players knock each other silly and then go out for a beer after the game.
The reason so many on the right are making a lot of noise is that they see Rudy as the near-absolute worst choice to win in 2008 (with McVain slightly worse).
You don't hold the party together from the far left of such, and you don't draw Reagan Democrats by making yourself indistinguishable from the Dem for issues that drew them in the past, such as abortion.
The GOP moderates, having spent the party out of power, seem to think that doing more of what failed (moving leftward) is the solution to what has been failing. That, quite frankly, is the liberal mindset personified (with publik skools being the prime example).
And there is an even more problematic factor rushing headfirst at the party for 2008. The Dems are now preparing to draft immigration "reform" legislation that will be appalling. And Bush will most likely sign it. That will infuriate a lot of conservatives.
And if a pro-amnesty pubbie like Rudy or McVain is nominated, many of them will just leave, because the party no longer represents their views on too many key issues.
That is why Duncan Hunter is doing well now on the right - he is pro-defense, pro-WOT and anti-amnesty. I'd rather get a more marquee name in place, but he's the only pony running right now on the right that is right about most of the issues.