"Ahead in polls, Democrats are divided over whether they already have a national theme that tells voters exactly where the party stands."

If'n the Dems don't get on the same sheet of music, they'll lose again.

I think the Democratic strategy is to hope that the Republicans are so hated by November that they can win merely by showing up. They might want to work on that strategy just a little bit.

I'm the target audience for the Democratic party (single, 30-something, pro-environment, pro-choice, not against gay marriage, etc.,) but they can't give me a reason to vote for them.

Sad, really.

I think the Democratic strategy is to hope that the Republicans are so hated by November that they can win merely by showing up. They might want to work on that strategy just a little bit.

Curt

So, what are the reasons to vote Republican?

Assuming you're asking me, personally, what my reasons are?

I have no earthly idea where the Dems stand on any issue: Will they move for oil shale use in Colorado? Will they move for oil exploration in ANWR? How much of my tax dollars will be spent doing more "research" on energy issues?

Will they advocate changes in the US policy in the Middle East? What changes would they support? What stance will they take? Will they cut and run in Iraq? Will they stay? How long? Will they take on Iran should it be necessary?

Will they raise taxes (again, ala Clinton)? Will they make changes in the expenditures? What changes? Where will they turn to for border security? How will they do that? When will it get done?

Will I lose my right to keep and bear arms? What increased regulations will there be on firearm possession? Will they impose any limits on such polarizing issues as abortion? If so, what limits? Why?

Will we see sensible policy towards radicalism and violence? Will we have a policy of appeasement and "tolerance towards everyone" or will we take the stance of "We'll tolerate you, as long as you obey our laws. Break those laws, and we won't tolerate it..."?

What's their plan for securing the nation against enemies? Do they have the backbone to stand up and fight against our enemies, or will we have "talks" and "statements of protest" when we're attacked again by terrorists?

What... where... who...when... etc., etc., etc. LOTS of questions, but to date, no answers from the Left. Best we've gotten from them is "We're not sure if we have a united policy" and "I voted for it before I voted against it." IOW, waffling, fence straddling, and wavering. Take a f---ing stand, hang your hat on it, and then let the people decide if they like it or not.

I may not be all that thrilled with the GOP (and I'm not, popular opinion to the contrary,) but at least I know where they stand. "The Devil you know vs. The Devil you don't know" sorta thing.

I am so sick of Republicans regurgitating the latest talking points. The reason that you don't hear what the Democratic agenda while watching the national news, is because THEY ARE NOT IN POWER AND DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO BRING THEIR BILLS TO A DEBATE, LET ALONE A VOTE IN CONGRESS. The reason that they are spending their time criticizing the republicans for their massive and continual screw ups is THIS IS THE ONLY REAL POWER THAT AN OPPOSITION PARTY HAS AND THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE USING. If you want to find out what their ideas are it took me 20 seconds to find out what their stated agenda is using GOOGLE http://www.democrats.org/...al/security_at_home/. It took you much longer to write your complaint about them not having an agenda than it would have taken for you to find out what their agenda actually is. Maybe you are actually right they do not publicize their agenda in a way that you are likely to come across it (on Fox News which is probably the only thing you watch).

As for Clinton raising taxes use your flippin brain. Is the government using more tax money when they are spending 5 trillion or are they using more when they are spending 15 trillion. George Bush is spending MUCH MUCH more than Clinton ever did. Oh, but I forgot Bush is borrowing it so that's fine, nevermind.

...on another note, I just picked up a copy of Worth the Fighting For, by John McCain. I figure I should become better acquainted with what our next POTUS stands for and believes in.

I like McCain but I don't know if he will get the nomination. If he gets elected in 2008, he will be 4 years older than Reagan when he got elected.

But if he made it onto the ballot in 2008, I'd vote for him, and I'm liberal and reasonably well educated.

I don't think [McCain]'ll get elected because he's not an everyman figure. That and he's too moderate for the Christian right to support (voting block size not withstanding, the Repub. victory was largely credited to the conservative Christian community)...

Actually, from what I've been reading recently, McCain's been getting very cozy with the Christian Right and it's been pissing his moderate Republican base off.

As far as being an "everyman" figure, I think a LOT people will sympathize with his ex-POW hero status and the dignity that comes with it.

Assuming you're asking me, personally, what my reasons are?

I have no earthly idea where the Dems stand on any issue: Will they move for oil shale use in Colorado? Will they move for oil exploration in ANWR? How much of my tax dollars will be spent doing more "research" on energy issues?

Will they advocate changes in the US policy in the Middle East? What changes would they support? What stance will they take? Will they cut and run in Iraq? Will they stay? How long? Will they take on Iran should it be necessary?

Will they raise taxes (again, ala Clinton)? Will they make changes in the expenditures? What changes? Where will they turn to for border security? How will they do that? When will it get done?

Will I lose my right to keep and bear arms? What increased regulations will there be on firearm possession? Will they impose any limits on such polarizing issues as abortion? If so, what limits? Why?

Will we see sensible policy towards radicalism and violence? Will we have a policy of appeasement and "tolerance towards everyone" or will we take the stance of "We'll tolerate you, as long as you obey our laws. Break those laws, and we won't tolerate it..."?

What's their plan for securing the nation against enemies? Do they have the backbone to stand up and fight against our enemies, or will we have "talks" and "statements of protest" when we're attacked again by terrorists?

What... where... who...when... etc., etc., etc. LOTS of questions, but to date, no answers from the Left. Best we've gotten from them is "We're not sure if we have a united policy" and "I voted for it before I voted against it." IOW, waffling, fence straddling, and wavering. Take a f---ing stand, hang your hat on it, and then let the people decide if they like it or not.

I may not be all that thrilled with the GOP (and I'm not, popular opinion to the contrary,) but at least I know where they stand. "The Devil you know vs. The Devil you don't know" sorta thing.

The right to bear arms was taken away a long time ago. If you don't believe it, strap on a six shooter and take a stroll down a street in anytown, USA. Clintoon and the illegal gun ban of the 90's was one more step in a long road.....

I really don't like what the Repub party has become in a lot of ways, but the Democrats keep lowering the bar even faster, if you could nail down what they stand for in the first place. Democrats lose, pander even more to the extremists in their party, drive away more voters, repeat, .....

The right to bear arms was taken away a long time ago. If you don't believe it, strap on a six shooter and take a stroll down a street in anytown, USA. Clintoon and the illegal gun ban of the 90's was one more step in a long road.....

The right to bear arms was taken away a long time ago. If you don't believe it, strap on a six shooter and take a stroll down a street in anytown, USA. Clintoon and the illegal gun ban of the 90's was one more step in a long road.....

Jeremy:

If you type in all caps and bold font, people are more likely to believe you and agree with you. That's a time-proven technique, and you ought to try it.

I think the Democratic strategy is to hope that the Republicans are so hated by November that they can win merely by showing up. They might want to work on that strategy just a little bit.

Curt