Republican friends. I'm a Democrat and I was wondering who you think would have the best chance to win the next Presidential Election. A conservative or moderate Republican.?
I appreciate all of your thoughtful and interesting responses.
God Told me so, To My Face
Favorite Answer
I young and vibrant Fiscal Conservative, Social moderate
McCain's big problem was his lack of Charisma compared to Obama (that and Sarah Palin's lack of an appearance of presidential competence)
jhigh_43
Conservative;
The Republican party could not find a more moderate presidential candidate than John McCain, and we saw in the last election that he was a horrible choice. According to a Gallup poll, Conservatives are far and away the largest ideological group in America. Alienating them would leave the Republican party with no chance of surviving.
Than again, if President Obama keeps screwing America over, even Walter Mondale could probably beat him in 2012.
Anonymous
The greatest chance for the repubs to take back the whitehouse in 2012. Like the other answers, fiscally conservative and less so socially.
It would mean the repubs would have to move to the left of Atilla the Hun on the political spectrum, but if they're serious about getting back into power, they're gonna have to jettison their far right wing.
Peachy
Not sure, but I hope they don't announce the frontrunners for another year or so. Our state run media is just waiting to pounce on anyone that would dare speak out against obama and ruin any credibility they may had and eviscerate them, deserved or not.
Unfortunately, I'll bet they go with a moderate. Then again, John McCain was a moderate and a military hero, and he lost.
Peace Through Blinding Force
In national elections the "rightest" campaign always wins.
There has been exactly ONE exception. After Nixon and before even knowing who would run in '76, people said "I'll vote for whatever jackass the Democrats put up."
After the November '76 election, they reminded each other of that pledge, adding, ". . . and that's exactly what I did."
Carter was how we punished ourselves for electing Nixon. In 100% of other cases, the more conservative campaign ALWAYS wins.
Another way to view it: List history's major party Presidential LOSERS and you will find exactly ZERO conservatives among them.
The "present day" view to show this hasn't changed:
Obama's voters said they expected LOWER TAXES, SMALLER GOVERNMENT and LESS SPENDING from Obama than from McCain - the more conservative CAMPAIGN won. Of course, Republicans often betray the voters once elected but 100% of Democrats ALWAYS do. You'd think people would have learned that by now.