Monday, October 02, 2006

Why Foley could be a problem on November 7th

I'm going to make this brief because it seems that there is a little bit more disinterest in this story than I thought there would be. Anyway, here are my three big reasons.

1. This story has the potential to add to a general disgust with Republicans that has been floating across the country all year. Too much disgust, and the party risks a lashback across the board from voters in the middle and the middle right. All politics are local but there are exceptional years where that isn't the case.

2. Conservatives have been disgruntled with the party all year. A quick look around the Wisconsin blogosphere shows that a few are already claiming they will not show up at the polls this fall or they won't vote for certain Republican candidates. This story stands to hurt the Republican party further with social conservatives. If they end up with poor turnouts from philosophical, fiscal, and social conservatives, all Republicans are going to be in a jam.

3. There are some voices in the party, mine included, that will not defend the party on this story unless it is warranted. Right now, it isn't warranted or deserved. I am not going to post about Democrat double standards. I don't care if they have double standards, I will still not excuse or deflect heat from the party leadership if it is deserved. Without a full chorus of supporting voices, this is going wing the party at exactly the wrong time.

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