QUOTE
jqueer:
The problem for Bush is that choosing a moderate will disincline the religious right (I refuse to call them the Republican \"base\") from working for Republican candidates in the midterm elections and choosing a hardline conservative will incline the Democratic base to work against Republican candidates in the midterm elections. Bush has painted himself (with the help of an increasingly polarized electorate) into a corner, and I don't see a successful strategy for him here. I think his only real hope is to select a candidate that won't be a lightning rod in the Senate so the confirmation can be quick and relatively quite, thus giving neither side serious soundbites to use come election season next year.
Well said, JQ, on all counts, especially for your recognition that the RR =/= the GOP "base." Here's to hoping they WON'T come out in force next time around; we've more than enough moderate and secular conservatives in the GOP to get along w/o them just fine and the sooner their irrelevance is made plainer, the better.
The problem for Bush is that choosing a moderate will disincline the religious right (I refuse to call them the Republican \"base\") from working for Republican candidates in the midterm elections and choosing a hardline conservative will incline the Democratic base to work against Republican candidates in the midterm elections. Bush has painted himself (with the help of an increasingly polarized electorate) into a corner, and I don't see a successful strategy for him here. I think his only real hope is to select a candidate that won't be a lightning rod in the Senate so the confirmation can be quick and relatively quite, thus giving neither side serious soundbites to use come election season next year.