One area where I would rate the GOP as weak in terms of public relations is its national response to these charges from the far-left that Bush wants 'far-right, out-of-the-mainstream' judges.
Since talking points are the norm in Washington D.C., the GOP's talking heads should be ready at every chance to point out the following about the Democrat's definition of a 'mainstream' judge;
Americans oppose gay marriage, and civil unions in most states; yet the Dems demand judges who will impose it nationwide.
Americans oppose abortion on demand, favor bans on late-term abortions, and favor parental-notification; yet the Dems demand judges who make impossible even the most reasonable and popular restrictions on abortion.
Americans believe the Second Amendment protects an individual right to own guns; yet the Dems demand judges who deem the Second Amendment to only protect a worthless collective right.
Americans do not support having Courts ban public nativity scenes, or prayers before highschool football games; yet the Dems demand judges who hold the warped view that the Establishment Clause gives them the right to do just that, and who then do it.
Americans don't want the Constitution twisted so as to grant citizen-like status to illegal aliens; yet the Dems demand judges who see no distinction between citizens and legal residents versus illegal aliens.
Americans do not support racial preferences; yet the Dems demand judges who equate civil rights with racial preferences, and who think divesity justifies discrimination.
Americans support judges who look to the US Constitution for guidance; yet the Dems demand judges who feel it wise and acceptable to look to foreign laws and jurisprudence for guidance.
Americans want judges who will show restraint; yet the Dems demand judges who will legislate from the bench and impose things on the nation that can't be won in a fair democratic fight in Congress or most states, and cloak this blatant ideological activism in the Constitution. The Dems demand judges who 'interpret' the Constitution through a very narrow, elite, far-left point of view, and who have no regard for the fact that this is a nation of 50 individual states who should be free to set policy not Constitutionally reserved for the Federal Govt.
The GOP must do a better job of making the choice clear. They must give the public, as a counter to the Dem message of 'far-right' judges, a very distinct image in their minds of what types of judges the Dems prefer, and show that they are the ones who are in fact out of the mainstream.
Basically, the GOP should ask the questions; if you want judges who will act like kings, then support the Dems. If you want judges who will impose gay marriage, then support the Dems. If you want judges who will be overtly hostile to public displays of Christianity, then support the Dems.
I just find it incredulous that the GOP does not have such a neat and true response to the Dem chorus of 'out of the mainstream rightwing judges.'
Please get your comments to Karl Rove.