Joe linked to an interesting article at Instapundit earlier today: Rush Limbaugh seems to be criticizing, if not Mr. Instapundit himself, than at least conservatives who have decided to sit the coming elections out.
In the comment section of before mentioned thread started by Joe, Joe wrote the following: “I have LONG contended that if you look at the election results the GOP squeeked through because many independents gave Bush and the GOP the benefit of the doubt. You can’t just dismiss this to demonization, Swift Boating, etc…the Democrats ran poorly run campaigns. May I use a name from the past: Bob Shrum. Does that conjure up images of a skillful campaign that could match or defeat a tightrly run Republican machine? Just look at the polls now on independent voters with Bush and the GOP. THEN look at what’s happening with Ahnold here in California has he has not just moved but run back to the center and regained support from independents and many Democrats. You really can’t win an election with JUST your base.”
I agree completely with that. The Republicans and the Democrats both cannot win if the only thing they do is ‘rally the base’. Quite simply: there are too many independent voters: you have to appeal to them as well.
Karl Rove’s specialty: divide and conquer is a strategy that can only work in the short run. In the long run, a party cannot maintain its power by using afore mentioned strategy. Instead, one has to appeal to independents and even to moderate voters from the other camp.
That is also why the Democrats will most likely win the coming elections (whether winning a majority of at least winning quite some seats): Karl Rove et al. have alienated too many people, too many independents. Too many people have had it with Bush and the GOP in general. However, these independents cannot possibly be attracted to the Democrats because of their magnificent, unanymously supported plans (what plans?). As I see it, the only reason why they plan to vote Democratic, is because the Democrats are not Republicans.
In short: the GOP had better get rid of Karl Rove, quickly, as to be able to change the strategy for the 08 elections. The Democrats – in their turn – have to realize that the anti-Bush / GOP vote might work in 06, but definitely not in 08. This means that they have to come up with broadly supported, clear and understandable plans when the Presidential elections have arrived.
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