[headsplice]

The problem with mobilizing the core constituents is you don't have any flexibility (at least, no one has displayed much so far) once you gain office. For example, here in MN Pawlenty sided with the Minnesota Taxpayer's League (if that's wrong, Warch will you let me know?) who are fundamentally opposed to any tax increase. We had a multi-million dollar deficit. The Democrats proposed modest cuts and modest tax increases at the state level. The Republicans, as a result of the MTpL, wouldn't budge, so a bunch of social services (which MN is known for) got cut. The end result: increased taxes on homeowners in the areas most affected by the services cuts (i.e., NOT the Republicans districts). I'm afraid we are headed down the wrong path friends. Maybe we should start a third party that is solely committed to balancing out the lunatics on either side.