[skeeter]

The writer conveniently leaves out the role of the media in the GOP's difficulties.

All the media has to do is omit or take a word or two out of context, or ignore context, and presto - the 'wacko' narrative.

No, if the GOP wishes to begin win more elections they're going to have to fight, persuade, lead. There is no substitute.

[cripplecreek]

All the media has to do is omit or take a word or two out of context, or ignore context, and presto - the 'wacko' narrative.

No kidding. The media shouted it from the rooftops that "Rick Santorum says he doesn't care about unemployment" when what he clearly meant was that unemployment was a result of a failed government policies and those have to be dealt with first.

In fact, in the Santorum case and many others, its not even a context issue. The media just knows that many people will knowingly lie to themselves and the media happily provides them with a line of thought. Its an ethical issue that goes right down to the people themselves.

A politician from 30 years ago could never make the cut today because of a manipulative media and willing public. Here in Michigan the democrats went ballistic when Pete Hoekstra said that the 17th amendment had been a disaster. The local media said he doesn't want people to vote but they didn't offer up any info on what the 17th amendment actually did.