Larry C wrote:


Now this is precisely the point. Instead of blaming the
"Fundamentalist" or "Evangelical" Christians, the influence of which
has been vastly overrated (voter demographics just done lie),
the Democrats need to look at why they are not getting their message
across. Since I follow politics as a spectator sport, my take is that
they have become sidetracked by social issues that either aren't
relavent or distasteful to the voting population. While I disliked Bill
Clinton, politically I had to admire the way that he skillfully coopted
any popular conservative program as his own, which is why he was
elelcted twice during a time when the rest of the Democratic Party was
sucking, while managing to avoid most of these issues (except Gun
Control). The first time you have a Democratic candidate the can
distance himself from Gay Marriage, Abortion, and Gun Control, you are
probably going to have another Democrat in the White House. I really
don't see this happening since the DNC is wedded to certain special
interest groups that won't allow these changes.


Fear is credited by many for their vote for a 2nd-term Bush. There is
the fear of terrorism, with an appearance by the architect of modern
terrorism, Osama bin Laden, just days before the election. Bush's
response to this threat, questionable as to effectiveness, at least is
seen as strong and decisive by the voters.

Closer to home is the fear of moral decay; boobs at the Superbowl,
same-gender marriage, "activist" judges *legislating for* abortion and
gay marriage from the bench. Bush himself made moral issues a
centerpiece in the campaign, playing to and giving voice to the fears
of both religious conservatives and the public at large. It is Bush's
politics of fear that I find revolting and repulsive. Reminds me of a
criminal enterprise used to extort protection money from a fearful
public.





--
Burn the land and boil the sea
You can't take the sky from me

- From "Ballad of Serenity" by Joss Whedon