growing independent vote of great consequence, what he calls the professionals, are social liberals and fiscal conservatives.
That definition is becoming the mainstream way of saying "Libertarian" without the stigma. The way to this vote for the Republicans is to give up the fight for total "no/abortion." They are getting their slowly, as Science takes over from Religion on this, and more and more candidates are running on a modified platform. The "Partial Birth Abortion" ban seems to get broad support once people understand the details, and is really only supported by the "Hard Left" IMO. But "Abortion" will continue to be the "Achilles Heel" for Republicans with the swing vote. They are getting a lot of the swing, IMO, from people who trust them more on Defense and Economy, and are holding their nose on some of the Social Issues. Environment does not seem to move the Swing, IMO. The Black vote is really not swing, so expect the "Operators" on both sides to "go through the motions" on this issue. The Dems have it locked up, and the Republicans can't get at it, so the Blacks are in a Lose/Lose situation.
The Democrats appeal to the Swing is the "Social Liberal" part of it, of course. The Swing is not in favor of single payer Medical care, much to your chagrin, but this issue will continue to get "Salamied" in, through expanded child care, and Medicaid, so you will get it in some version over the years. Same with Medicare, which the Republicans will expand on a "Me Too" basis. We are obviously going to get an expanded prescription benefit added this next session.
I think, barring Republican goofs on the War, the next election will see them continue to control the House, expand their hold on the Senate,(The Seats coming open are ones the Dems are more vulnerable on,) and re-elect Bush.
But the War adds a huge imponderable. |
