Why do you think a principled conservative message won't work?
Keep in mind that the party-building exercise among college-age youth that you regret wasn't made, was neglected by the RNC and the guys you agree with -- the Large and in Charge Wing of the GOP, as opposed to us conservatives. So why don't you unload on Karl Rove and Dubya and Ken Mehlman for that little oversight?
Keep in mind that the party-building exercise among college-age youth that you regret wasn't made, was neglected by the RNC and the guys you agree with -- the Large and in Charge Wing of the GOP, as opposed to us conservatives. So why don't you unload on Karl Rove and Dubya and Ken Mehlman for that little oversight?
First of all, I don't have any favorites in GOP leadership positions. Second, if you'd poll the average American and ask if Karl Rove or W are conservatives, THE OVERWHELMING majority would give an unequivocal YES. It doesn't matter if they are or they aren't. The prevailing and overwhelming opinion by average Americans is that they are. That's not going to change. In politics perception IS the politcal reality.
As for your question, "Why do you think a principled conservative message won't work?"
My question back to you is, where in any of my posts do you find those words coming from me? A principled conservative message can work. But, principled conservative message with Rush Limbaugh as the ball carrier won't. Why? Because Rush Limbaugh is LESS POPULAR THAT JERMIAH WRIGHT. Do you think Jeremiah Wright will be winning any hearts and minds? I'll go ahead and feel free to put the words in your mouth of "Probably Not".
Lastly, there were herculean efforts from the GOP to reach out to college voters this year and in 2004. I know, I worked plenty of campus campaign booths and talked to probably thousands of college kids in the process. Did you? Let me tell you, they weren't biting. Why weren't they biting because young people view conservatives as fat white guys who are culturally, racially, gender and environmentally insensitive. Now, is that true? No, but that the perception; and we're back to the perception is reality axiom.
As long as Rush Limbaugh is the face of the GOP, that perception will never change NO MATTER HOW BRUTALLY INACCURATE IT IS. And Barack Obama laughs.