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I think this is a great point. The Republican Party is as much a coaltion of views as the Democrat Party. While not as broad as the democrats, we still have our blue-bloods, moderates and social/religious conservatives. And as much as I respect the social conservative for their principled resolve...and believe in those tennants, there are other fiscal conservatives that are just as scared as these views as they are of the far-left's views. While I like Keyes and others who speak of morality, they can also be very condescending and arrogant. It often sounds as if it is "their way or the highway" and if you don't subscribe to their views, you are not a real Republican.

The Democrats have been successful as a "political" force because when it comes to elections, they put aside their differences and unite for a commom cause. When Republicans do this, they are accused of putting thier principles aside in exchange for power. Unfortunately, this is often the reality of "politics" in our current system. It is also a reality that politics is a compromise of values and ideals to form a middle-ground...we not only have to do it at the national level with the current governing two-party system, we have to do it at the party level. How else can you form a broad enough coalition that is strong enough to compete for governing...especially against another Party that doesn't play be the same rules. I hate to say this, but I would be as leary as living under the ideals of a Keyes' America as I would the other side. Not because Keyes' is an evil man...in fact from from it, but because compromise is something that's missing from the far edges. Ironically, it is these sharp edges that generally keep America relatively centered.

I can guarantee that the far-left could not win on its own merits, just as I do not believe the far-right/Christian Coalition could win on its own. The danger is when one of these groups decides it is their right to insist on which way the party goes. In doing so, the party's broad appeal becomes an exclusive group that alienates others. This is the reality of politics where each special interest group must decide if they want to go it alone (Greens, Libertarian) or compromise, working within the Party, to achieve their ideals. It may not always yield immediate results...but if it doesn't within the Party that most closely shares your views, it most likely will be worse in a country with such divergent views. It's sad, but sometimes compromise is needed to advance your ideals and agenda. And I'm sorry but I don't see any virtue in losing...even if it is only to show people how stupid they may be. The damage will aready have been done.

I can guarantee that the far-left could not win on its own merits, just as I do not believe the far-right/Christian Coalition could win on its own.

I'm curious, not arguing just like to hear your thoughts, what would happen if the "far right" staked out their position and the far left staked out their's and the rest had to pick one or the other?

Galloup in the same poll said that of the whole (i'd have to look through my note to find exact figures) the combined total of "Very Liberal" and "Somewhat Liberal" were almost exactly what the "Very Conservitive" total was. something like 5% for Very and 15% for "somewhat and 20% for very con. And then some 40% said "Somewhat Conservitive" and the other 20% was "Moderate."

The implication of this poll (which was taken sometime in the late 90's) is that when the left and right are clearly defined, the right starts with a bigger base and the larger part of the crowd "in the middle" sypathizes with the right than with the left.

Now, there is a real weakness to this in that it does not distinguish between social conservitives and fiscal conservitives, but I'd be inclined to think that if the two extremes were staked out and commited, that more would, even ifreluctantly, go right than go left.

Of course, there is to possibility of a third candidate in the middle, but for the sake of this point, considering just the two options, what are your thoughts?