Lots Of Conservatives In America

There is some very good news for conservatives in America.

The 2010 midterm election saw a historically large percentage of voters claim to be conservative – 42 percent, compared to 32 percent in 2006 and 37 percent in 1994.

That is just excellent. Conservatism is sweeping the country. The question is where will that other 10% will come from. (You don't want elections too close. Democrats have a way of finding missed ballots that contain a disproportionate number of Democrat votes. I remember Kennedy - Chicago - 1960.)

I know. The nation has been anti-abortion for some time. How about running on that to pick up the 10%? The last time that was tried (2004 in Illinois) it wasn't just a defeat it was a a debacle. I don't think that one will fly politically even if it is the morally correct thing to do. Being groped by Federal Agents is still fresh in people's minds. Who wants to add another potential groping law?

I have an idea. A TEA Party idea. Why not stick to fiscal issues? Do something like Christie did in New Jersey. No funding for elective abortions. That would please the fiscal hawks and the social conservatives without adding any new duties to government. And leave it at that. Kinda like cutting back first before we start enlarging.

Plus, having government meddling in vaginas gives me the creeps. A Pregnancy Enforcement Administration just doesn't give me the warm fuzzies. Maybe I'm just sceptical about government, but I see lots of opportunities for abuse. Oh. Wait I forgot. It can't happen here. Or as my friend Karridine says: "It can't happen (-scuze me while I vote in THIS EXCEPTION so's gummint can clobber HIM-) here!"

The Quick To Anger Crowd

And as soon as The Republican Party becomes a party that is more than a fiscal conservative party many of the the Democrats, libertarians, independents, gays, and others who are part of the current Republican coalition will vote D or stay home.

How did that Alan Keyes thing work out in Illinois? Not well. Not well at all. Most unfortunate.

The Old Guard still doesn’t get it. And they have a LOT of support. Good. Because without the stupid party the evil party wouldn’t have a chance. I guess the thinking is that if you attack enough of your allies it will make it easier to win the next election. It will be interesting to see how that works out.

Stuck on stupid. It is not just for Democrats anymore.

You don’t win over the “leave us alone” crowd by meddling in their affairs. They are subtle and quick to anger.

Playing To An Ever Shrinking Base

That is the analysis voiced in this video about the fall of the Republican Party and the rise of the independent voter. The Republicans are playing to an ever shrinking base. I covered this trend back in Nov. of 2008 - The Two Largest Political Parties. The trend appears to be accelerating.

The Two Largest Political Parties In America

What are the two largest political parties in America? One is the Democrat Party. The other is the Independent Party. The Third largest? The Republican Party.

The balance of party identification in the American electorate now favors the Democratic Party by a decidedly larger margin than in either of the two previous presidential election cycles.

In 5,566 interviews with registered voters conducted by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press during the first two months of 2008, 36% identify themselves as Democrats, and just 27% as Republicans.

The share of voters who call themselves Republicans has declined by six points since 2004, and represents, on an annualized basis, the lowest percentage of self-identified Republican voters in 16 years of polling by the Center.

The Democratic Party has also built a substantial edge among independent voters. Of the 37% who claim no party identification, 15% lean Democratic, 10% lean Republican, and 12% have no leaning either way.

By comparison, in 2004 about equal numbers of independents leaned toward both parties.

If you look at the graphs provided at the site it looks like the rate of shrinkage of the Republican Party is accelerating. And the really bad news for Republicans? In Swing States the Democrats are advancing and in Republican States the Party identification is evenly split.

If Republicans don't find a way to enlarge their tent they could go the way of the Whigs in a few more election cycles. I'd like to see a libertarian type party that was adult on foreign policy and defense take its place if it goes down.

Lieberman IS Independent

Joe Lieberrman is going to do what most non-partisans will do in '08.

"I'm going to do what most independents and a lot of Democrats and Republicans in America do, which is to take a look at all the candidates and then in the end, regardless of party, decide who I think will be best for the future of our country," Lieberman said Sunday.

"So I'm open to supporting a Democrat, Republican or even an Independent, if there's a strong one. Stay tuned," said the three-term lawmaker who caucuses with Senate Democrats.

Lieberman is an ally of GOP Sen. John McCain (news, bio, voting record) of Arizona, a 2008 hopeful, and supports President Bush's new Iraq strategy. Lieberman won re-election as an independent last fall when Democrats backed an anti-war candidate who won the party primary.

I'm sure the Democrats are really glad they gave Joe the back of their hand.

What about a McCain/Lieberman ticket? I'd vote for them.

"Obviously, the positions that some candidates have taken in Iraq troubles me. Obviously, I will be looking at what positions they take in the larger war against Islamist terrorism."

He added, "I am genuinely an independent. I agree more often than not with Democrats on domestic policy. I agree more often than not with Republicans on foreign and defense policy."

The senator said he wanted to select someone "I believe is best for the future of our country. ... Party is important, but more important is the national interest. And that's the basis that I will decide whom to support for president."

So he wants to do what is best for the country. Now that really is a novel approach.

H/T Instapundit