First, I'll say I think it's just that numbers are down cuz there's no real big political events right now.
But I do wonder if this primary/election is really going to be a referrendum on abortion and gays. There seems to be a significant movement here to force just that.
The 'Conservative' movement has always been a coalition -- 'social conservatives' and 'people who want a conservative use of federal power'. But one side is now trying to take full control of the 'Conservative' label. I keep speaking to socials here who are annointing themselves the "only true conservatives".
"If you don't agree with me about X, then you ain't a REAL conserative."
The socials are even threating openly to end the coalition. If someone pro-choice like Rudy is nominated, many have threatened to bolt the coalition. Never mind that he's a good, proven manager. Never mind that he'll certainly be one good choice for Prez based on experience alone.
They constantly threaten to kick us out of their "conserative" ranks. If you're pro-choice, you're demoted. If you're against calling folks a faggot in public, you're demoted. Often quite far. Several times I've been told I must be a D and I'm no different than the MSM!
It is funny, to me. In the absence of any real news, this has kept me posting.
The socials are even threating openly to end the coalition. If someone pro-choice like Rudy is nominated, many have threatened to bolt the coalition.
With all due respect, advancing a candidate that is opposed to the views of many coalition members is what ends the coalition.
Well, yeah.
So what you do is make sure you don't try to run off half the coalition -- i.e. if homosexual marriage and abortion are positions in which you know they are unwilling to compromise don't support it and expect to keep their votes.
Similar things could be said about gun rights, tax increases, labor issues etc.
The lynchpin issues I see are the war/defense, abortion, guns, and combination of the border and illegal immigration (can't separate those, really).