[sinkspur]

Sed contra, this is a winning issue that will help ring in a GOP sweep in 2004.

Well, the GOP may sweep, but I doubt this will factor into the voting pattern of anybody who didn't already agree with Santorum.

[The Old Hoosier]

Many of them don't vote unless someone brings them out. Many of them vote for Democrats--especially in states like Pennsylvania. That is how Santorum built his winning coalition there and outperformed Bush in 2000--he appeals to socially conservative Democrats, of which there are many there.

[The Old Hoosier]

I doubt this will factor into the voting pattern of anybody who didn't already agree with Santorum.

I would look at it the other way: it won't upset anyone who doesn't already hate Santorum. Another thing to note: Hispanics. If the GOP has the balls to make this an issue, the Democratic party of Texas could cease to exist, permanently. It could even make the GOP competitive in California.