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Pretty much happens every election. nearly all candidates have to run to the extremes because that is where the True Believers are, both right and left; the ones who make calls and bring people to the polls, give money, etc
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Then once they get the nomination both race to the center where most of the voters are.

There are probably an exactly equal number of people on FR who fall into the categories of ‘hold my nose and vote for the sellout’ as there are on DU. One can loath McCain and yet see what a difference ONE supreme court justice makes; for everyone reading the preceding sentence and agreeing there is probably somebody saying the same thing except in reference to Obama.

Noting new here.

The few exceptions that come to mind are Ike, being so extremely popular he did not need ‘the base’, Reagan (although less so) due to massive charisma and impeccable credentials to the base and some incumbents.

One can loath McCain and yet see what a difference ONE supreme court justice makes; for everyone reading the preceding sentence and agreeing there is probably somebody saying the same thing except in reference to Obama.

Noting new here.

A McCain victory in November puts Rodham back in play in 2012, when she’ll likely end the Republican run and serve two terms herself.

An Obama victory in November finishes Rodham off (and McCain too) and will likely result in 4 utterly inept years of mismanaged liberal government and the election of a for-real conservative in 2012—provided we get our act together between now and then.

So, there’s more nose-holding than one day in November for those who vote for McCain. If you’re my age, you’ll likely be holding your nose the rest of your life. So, I’m not gonna hold my nose for a moment. I’m resigned to 4 years of Obamanation during which the conservative cause will more easily galvanize than it did in 2006-08. So I say:

Bobby Jindal 2012. Be there or be nowhere.

“There are probably an exactly equal number of people on FR who fall into the categories of ‘hold my nose and vote for the sellout’ as there are on DU. One can loath McCain and yet see what a difference ONE supreme court justice makes”

With the Senate in Dim hands, the judges argument holds no water.

I agree with your comments about most candidates running to the left or right extremes before the nomination, but then racing to the center for the general election, but then why believe any of the “flip-flops” or any position taken because they are just speeches or words tailored to a specific moment or audience? The decline in confidence in government is partially due to the view that the voters are routinely deceived.