Everyone’s barking up the wrong tree. The problem isn’t fitting all of the Republicans in the Republican tent. Those who are reliable (R) voters have, by definition, learned to live with the entire coalition.
The challenge is how to not scare the rather large number of independents away. Sometimes this means not saying things, even when you think that they’re true.
Case in point: I think Bobby Jindal is brilliant, and exactly the kind of management nerd that we need heading up the federal bureaucracy. Note that I didn’t say a thing about his politics. But when he bites the bait set for him by the MSM, and says that ID is a viable theory, he’s doing exactly what the donx want him to do.
Sometimes brilliant technocrats are unbelievably inept politicians. Like it or not, an off-the-cuff (and honest) statement can send independents running for the tent with the cool kids.
The size and makeup of the tent is a distraction. What we need is a bull pen of people who won’t scare the independents. That takes an instinct for politics that’s rare. We need a communicator. A sharp mind; someone who can give an intelligent answer without a teleprompter and a rehearsal, would be a big plus.
If Newt could mellow, he’d be a good choice. The other rising star who would do well is Eric Cantor. I’m afraid that Jindal’s already crapped in his cornflakes, and Palin may or may not be rehibilitatable after the number the media on her.
