[JNB]

The socially liberal "Centrist" voters have largely left the GOP anyways, and maybe some may come back to the GOP, but the days of the GOP dominating the suburban vote on the West Coast and Northeastern Corridor like they did from 68-88 are over.

Karl Rove himself estimated up to 4 million Conservative Christian voters simpily stayed home on election day in 2000. The GOP needs to know that a large portion of its base votes for them on social, not economics issues, and if somthing is not done on the issue of immigration and unfair trade, then the GOP is at severe risk not just at the level of president but downballot as well. The warm and fuzzy view of Republicanism that Limbaugh paints does not exist in the real world.

[Once-Ler]

The GOP needs to know that a large portion of its base votes for them on social, not economics issues, and if somthing is not done on the issue of immigration and unfair trade, then the GOP is at severe risk not just at the level of president but downballot as well.

Why? Show me an election where immigration has been a factor. Did opposing prop 187 hurt Davis/Bustamente or help Simon? Did supporting NAFTA stop congressman Richardson from being elected Governor of New Mexico. Where is the lesson that you say must be learned?