I just wish the right would start to ignore the radical religious/tea party types and start dealing exclusively with the intellectual middle-right. you are going to take your lumps in hick states for doing so but long term I think it's the only way to pull out of the tail spin. a pro-science, pro-economy, socially-moderate right would do very well today if it could get wheels underneath it.
Here's the thing about pandering to the extreme side of the spectrum of either party: Those extremists are going to vote for their party regardless. Never understood why so much time, effort, and face is lost in trying to relate to them. It's not like the crazy bible gun nuts are ever going to vote blue. both parties should deal in the middle of their spectrum. the extremists will always vote the party line.
You have to pander to them because moderates do not usually follow politics as closely as the hardcore extremists, and are less likely to turn out for the primaries. Independents are also not allowed to vote in the primaries, so candidates have to pander to the crazies if they want to get on the ballot for the general election.
This would ultimately screw the party. They will pump out progressively crazier crazies. I mean, look at this year's R primary. It was like a crazy off.
A few cylces from now, there will be ppl talking about how we should give up electricity since it's the devil's work, how Child labor laws are complete bullshit, how the Industrial Rev was the good old days, and how Jesus supports the 17 hr work day.
