Changing My Mind On A Sarah Palin Presidential Run (Must read!)

'Rats and moderates may outnumber Republicans. But I'd contend they don't outnumber conservatives. In fact, a majority of people self-identify as conservatives. Only about 20% self-identify as liberals. Reagan's success effectively confirms this construction.

I wish you were right. Bush, Clinton, Bush and Obama don't confirm your construction. Reagan got so many rat voters the media coined the term "Reagan Democrats." He had huge support with DINOs and RINOs. Reagan was also blessed with a quick wit, years of broadcasting experience, and 4 years of Carter...the media coined the term "Misery Index" for Carter. Reagan's support for illegal immigrant amnesty, 2nd term tax increases, huge budget deficits, Sandra Day O'Connor, steel tariffs, the Chrysler bailout and the firings of the air traffic controllers show a President willing to "blur the lines" of conservative ideology...some might even think they were actions designed to reach out to the middle.

Your figures on self identified liberals is close enough but 40% (a plurality) self identify as conservative year after year according to http://www.gallup.com/poll/124958/Conservatives-Finish-2009-No-1-Ideological-Group.aspx

40% of the voters can't cast 51% of the vote.

I suspect ther are more liberals, who call themselves "independents," than conservatives, who call themselves "independants." The word "liberal" has a stigma that "conservative" doesn't. We would both feel complimented if the word "conservative" was hurled at us. When I call a rat a "Jesus hating, flag burning, tree-huggin', long haired, dope smoking, dirty liberal hippy," it is a stinging insult . . . sorry Grandma :(

We disagree on the strength of conservatives in the American electorate. All I can point to, besides all the polls, is a communist rat President, and socialist rat US Senate majority today...complete rat rule last election... and rat control in both houses in 06. That is a pretty strong trend the other way. If conservatives did comprise over 50% of the voters, I'd say conservatives have been confused for sometime.

We have a "1 election" trend as evidence for a majority conservative electorate. Fortunately for your argument it is the most recent election and a stunning success in the US House, Governors, and state legislatures.

The election results that I see, fit with my opinion. I could be wrong. I thought Bubba's tax increases would sink the economy in '93. After Nov of '94, I thought there was no chance Bubba could get re-elected. In '98 I thought the voters would punish the President who wagged his finger in their face and lied. Instead they punished the GOP. I would have thought 9-11 would have turn every moderate into a conservative. For some like Dennis Miller it did, and I believe our numbers are rising, but we still need moderate votes to win at the polls.

We saw RINO successes in the off-year 2009 elections, and Tea party failure with Hoffman in NY-23. The Tea Party had great sucess in the primaries, but the general election was a mixed bag. Success in FL, WI, and PA among other states, but failed to knock out McCain or Murkowski, and it could be argued cost us Reid's and Biden's seat. I see a political climate where strong conservatives won in states that are traditionally conservative, and RINOs won in states that are traditionally swing states.

If I believed conservatives comprise a majority of voters I would ask myself "why did conservatives stayed home in 2006 and 2008 while the country fell apart, or worse voted rat?" and "Why does the majority keep electing rats and RINOs to statewide offices (US senators, governors,and atty gen)?"

I thank you for taking the time to reply with a clear and well thought out arguement. We agree on much more than we disagree FRiend, and we live in interesting times.

The time may now be ripe for a conservative candidate to actually run against the media -- to use them as a foil.

I like cut of your jib, and I know just the lady.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.