Reply #22: Almost without a doubt [View All]

[Proud Liberal Dem]

There are almost no "moderates" left and even staunch longtime conservative (but still rational) Republicans like Richard Lugar (of my home state) are facing the prospect of a Tea Party primary candidates in upcoming elections. So, they have to move even further to the right to appease the teabaggers or face the (very real) possibility of losing a primary. At some point, the Republican Party is either going to be overrun and overtaken by the teabaggers or the "moderate" establishment Republicans will have to find some way to neutralize them and pull the party back from the abyss. I'm honestly conflicted about which I would rather have happen. OTOH if the teabaggers take control of the party, the moderates, independents, and "moderate" Republicans will probably flee to the Democrats and, hopefully, help us win back some of our numbers in Congress. The major problem with this scenario is that there are plenty of places, particularly in the South that WILL elect teabaggers to all levels of government and their designs for government, public services, etc. is frightening IMHO. OTOH while it might be nice to have the "grown up" Republicans back in charge of their party and the teabaggers exiled to the fringe, it will prolong the life and viability of Republicanism. Between now and 2012 will be the big test to see if the Republican Party can walk the fine line between maintaining their political viability by keeping moderates and independents in their corner at the same time avoiding antagonizing the teabaggers. I don't envy the person trying to run for POTUS on the Republican ticket in 2012 because they will have this very fine line to straddle both in the primary and in the GE.