Replies

I have a plan for him to get us without making any substantive move against his “base”. It won’t get us enthusiastic but it would probably keep us from staying home — which is my goal, since I want to elect conservatives to congress.

I haven’t finished the plan yet, it involves making consessions on the margins on the hot issues. Here’s the rough draft:

1) oppose FEDERAL FUNDING of Embryonic stem cell research, on “fiscal conservative” grounds — the investment isn’t worth scarce tax dollars given the advances in other treatments.

2) Defer to the military leadership regarding Gitmo. If they want it closed, close it, otherwise leave it open. Conservatives would have a hard time objecting to giving the military control over it’s POWs, but the military is already beginning to turn against Gitmo, and whoever McCain puts in charge will probably share his view.

3) Promise not to do anything beyond a 2-year reprieve for illegals, leaving any comprehensive reform until after the next election — to fulfil his already made pledge to wait until there is widespread consensus that the border security is taken care of.

4) Promise to sign any legislation passed by congress limiting campaign finance reform, since it primarily effects congress. They won’t pass anything, so he won’t be giving anything up, but offering to sign it means he won’t be standing in the way of fixing it, and conservatives can at least TRY to get people elected who will fix the law in the next election, giving us ANOTHER reason to get out and vote.

5) Give us the VP slot. The moderates/independents will understand the need to “appease” us, and we’ll have a leg up if he gets sick or quits after one term.