Dr. Ross -
It seems to me that in order for the Republicans to have any hopes of maintaining any sort of relevance in 2012 and beyond, they themselves will need to bring about "Change they (And all of their supporters) can believe in". Let me explain what I mean by this:

Clearly the Republicans have failed to sway a majority of voters to their way of thinking. Many of the issues that they consider important do not appear to resonate in quite the same way with an increasingly moderate (and less conservative) America. Moderate Republicans and Independents turned their support to a Democratic candidate, costing the Republicans the White House.

If Republicans hope to make any sort of comeback, they need to reevaluate their platform in these changing times and appeal to more than just the ultra conservative Christian right. They will need their own version of Obama in 2012. This person would have to be more progressive in their way of thinking and approach, and appeal to a broader group of people.

I just don't see Sarah Palin doing this for them; Despite her claiming she is a maverick, she appears more geared towards appealing to the Christian Right. I just don't see this as being a way to victory for the Republican party any longer - The country is clearly turning away from this status quo that has previously defined the Republicans.

As Arkadi Raikin pointed out in an earlier discussion he had with some of his colleagues, and here I paraphrase: "We went from a government lead by those from the Baby Boomer era, to one that was born of the Civil Rights movement". This is, I believe, in fact the change we are seeing; More progressive individuals - A new generation replacing the "Old Guard".

Unless Republicans change with the times, I do not see them making any sort of comeback. Sarah Palin and appealing to Christian Conservatives just isn't going to do it.

Your thoughts?


Or the Democrats can just screw up, like they're prone to doing.

Actually, the Republicans have a big numbers issue they need to contend with. In 1980 88% of the electorate was white. This didn't change too much until about 1996 when it began to drop rapidly (at a pace of about 3% per election). In 2004 the white portion was at 77% and this election it was at 74%.

As was made pretty clear at McCain and Palin campaign rallies 90% of the Republican vote is from white America. The Republicans either have to carry a much bigger percentage of white America, diversify, or see their chances of winning elections decline steadily. Obama is the first President of color but he may just have opened the flood gate to a much more diverse electorate which doesn't bode well for the "WASPY" Republican Party. - ER