Originally posted by desert
And could this distancing be a play to become a 2012 front runner?
Exactly. Of course, all of this is my opinion, but a presidential bid would be the obvious reason, to me. Lillydale is right. This "base" is a vocal
minority. Most people are more level-headed. If this base stayed home on election day, the Republican ticket would likely do worse than it did last
year. That's why it's vital (for the Republican party) that they unite. That's why this splintering is deadly to them. It will split their vote and
the Democrats will walk away with it. If this split continues and the base votes, it will likely be for someone Independent or not on the ticket at
all.
Or would someone like Graham speak one way in public but wink ala Palin to this base?
I wouldn't put it past him to use Palin in some way to bring in the base. Graham/Palin 2012? That backfired big time for McCain, though.
Is this strong rebuke from a politician the first shot fired in a battle to take back the party or merely a shot across the bow of a boat filled with
a base gone wild?
I don't think Graham's concerns are with the party right now. I think his motives are entirely selfish. Republicans lost some moderates to Obama
last election. Graham might be trying to cut loose the Beck crowd, but gain the moderates back.
Having groomed this type of media and base over three decades, maybe the only thing Graham is trying to accomplish with his remarks is to sacrifice
one of their own, to cut loose some reeds that accidentally got tangled in the propeller.
It's certainly possible. Do you think he would have commented on Rush, too, though? Because if Beck is a reed, Rush is a tangle of old fishing line.
And Palin, too. Those guys appeal to this vocal minority.
Originally posted by desert
Would Graham be able to speak out about Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity without apologizing?
If he had any guts at all, he would. He sure would gain some respect if he did. But I'm not going to hold my breath. It would be exciting, though.
I'd love to see someone stand up to them and take the conservative party back. Better yet, start a new conservative party.
Originally posted by micpsi
When some of you "anti-birthers" can better understand what constitutes scientific proof (as opposed to mere legal evidence), we shall take you more
seriously.
And when the "birthers" can realize that other country's laws don't apply to US citizens, then perhaps we shall take you more seriously.
...foreign citizenship makes no difference under US law if one is also a US citizen.
...
If a person is a US citizen and is currently within the jurisdiction of the US, any other citizenship(s) he or she may hold are really not relevant in
US law.
A "dual citizen" has no special status in the US by virtue of holding citizenship in some other country too.
US Dual Citizenship FAQ
[edit on 4-10-2009 by Benevolent Heretic]
