If Republicans want to win in 2006, they must emphasize this simple message: Judge the Democrats by their friends. They protect terrorists for political expediency; they protect illegal immigrants for political expediency; they protect Islamofascists in Iraq for political expediency; they protect those who do not work at the expense of those who do for political expediency; they protect radical abortion and homosexuality advocates for political expediency. Americans may be unhappy with Republicans, but Republicans must make clear that the alternative is a country run by those who consistently side with enemies of the American people.This might actually be good advice. On the plus side, this line of arguing will probably hold the base. It seems clear that the core unifying conservative principle right now is hatred of democrats. So this line of attack would hold on to the base.
It could also have a positive effect on the undecided or moderate voters as well, by, paradoxically enough, turning them off of the political process. Moderates or undecided are often nice guys who like to see people getting along. Seeing the ugly politics Shapiro recommends might well turn them off from the political process, at least this go around.
The problem with this strategy is, however, it is scorched earth. If the Republicans retain control over all branches of government, well, that doesn't matter. It seems unlikely, however, that Republicans are really going to run the show forever. They could lose the House of Representatives this year, and they could lose the White House in two years. So adopting these aggressive tactics might hurt them in the long run.
I doubt that this would occur to Ben, however. Doubtless he assumes that we Democrats hate Republicans, and therefore worrying about getting along with us is a waste of time anyway.
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