One issue I have some particular experience in is the difference between a party that is in power and a party that is out of power. I worked with Democrats while they have (and still do) control both state houses and the governor's office. I also used to work briefly with the Libertarian Party. This is a theme that I would like this blog to particularly focus on.
The big difference between a party that is in power and a minority or third party is that while out of power political parties become more insular and dogmatic. Political parties need to focus on building big tents. Obama won the election the way he did because of his ability to build a big tent (plus a very unpopular President from the other party).
Though the Democratic Party is bound to implode sooner or later (I vote sooner with the whole Dodd Obama fight with bonuses) the Republicans should not wait for that to happen.
Republicans need to focus more on being a center-right party while the Democrats are the center-left. Yes the Rush Limbaugh's and the extreme right-wing have their place but that is a member of a coalition not the entire party.
Unfortunately, the ones with the biggest megaphones in the Republican Party are the extreme right-wing. This forces the Republicans to maintain there base of support unnecessarily. To be honest extreme views should not be counted on to win national or state elections.
My evidence supporting these claims is the stimulus vote. The only three Republican votes that went for the stimulus came from left-leaning states (Maine and Pennsylvania).
The reason why I support healthy minority and third parties is:
A) When your side looses power all things don't go to hell
B) It forces both sides to the center
I personally feel that there are a lot of young reasonable Republicans that are getting ignored because they not in the extreme right-wing. I have always been open to voting Republican but I have yet to have the opportunity.
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