Quote:
Originally posted by Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)
In 1984, Reagan won every state except Minnesota. I don't think babyjesus carried Massachusetts for him. So what you're saying is that Bush I and Reagan both won elections without having to pander to baby jesus. And Bush II won one election by doing so.
We'd have president Gore now if one didn't pander to the right. But if one took a different strategy fro the outset, I assess differently where you'd end up. Yes, you'd lose some votes. But right now the assessment apparently is that you'd lose less votes that way than by continuing to pander.
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I love him, but Reagan pandered to the religious right. If you think not, you are either too young to remember or weren't watching closely enough. I cede that in 84 there was less of a need for pandering and in selective states pandering wasn't necessary, but it doesn't change how he got to 84. And the Religious right has more sway now than it did in Reagan's day, thanks in part to Bush and Rove. If the party wants to remake itself and shoot for the WH in 2020, jettisoning the religious right makes sense, but if they want to contest in this decade again, they gotta dance with she who brung em.
