[Constantine XIII]

That's just the thing, the CP and LP guys aren't the ones that are going to vote R no matter what ('broken glass' Republicans). They haven't been for 20 years. Trying to get them back seems to fit in the category of "fighting yesterday's war".

Moderates who can't stand the far left seem to be a much more solid base from their viewpoint. In light of this, it would appear that we shouldn't be suprized when the moderates are the people to whom RNC decides to kow-tow.

Threatening to leave isn't much of a threat to the party leadership since these people were never there to begin with. It is our job to convince them that we are valuable. It is pretty late in this election cycle to try for such a sea change, though.

[inquest]

I don't know exactly what would constitute a "sea change", but if between now and November he can get spending under control, and most importantly, get the tax cuts made permanent, then he'll win over quite a number of defecting conservatives, and probably more than a few moderates as well. He'd certainly have my support in such a situation.