I suppose "liberal" became a bad word about the same time "conservative right" became an evil word.
The conservative right are not evil, just sadly misguided and out of touch with most Americans, as well as out of step with most Americans who vote. The only way the GOP ever wins is by taking part of the swing voters, and Clinton has done a good job luring the right-leaning swing voters back to the Democratic camp.
Now, the "religious right" as opposed to the plain old "Conservative right" are actually a force for evil in the world, because they want to legislate their moral code as the law of the land. Have you ever read The Handmaid's Tale? Scary stuff, and it could happen here.
Although being liberal in Austin did not help much in the last state election did it? Bush pretty well carried the state away for the GOP.
True, the GOP now holds every statewide elected office in Texas. However, the Dems still have a majority in the state House and the GOP has only a 16-15 majority in the Senate. Many people outside of Texas think G.W. "Shrub" Bush has a lot of power as Texas Governor, but under the Texas constitution the Lt. Gov. has more influence on state policy than the Governor. The Gov. is basically limited to deciding clemency cases and using his or her office as a "bully pulpit."
As for a Shrub Bush/E. Dole ticket, that really scares me, because they just might win. As a Democrat, my dream GOP ticket is Steve Forbes and Dan Quayle. That would make for a truly fun election.
I don't think the conservative or the religious right will stand for two moderate Republicans on the national ticket, so we Dems don't really have too much to worry about. If anybody but Bush or Dole is nominated for President, Al Gore will steal the swing voters from the GOP candidate.
Joel Irby
Austin, Texas |
