While America is immersed in the current GOP scandal, the Terri Schiavo affair, and as we sit back and watch Bush's approval ratings slide while the GOP finally faces a public schism many had hoped for, you can count on the fact that Republican party strategists are planning for the resurrection of the party and the president.
During some pivotal times, an opposition can only be reactionary when faced with circumstances that spiral out of control. At the same time, however, that opposition must plan for what may occur as a result of that spiral.
The Republicans are now being challenged nationally, not only by those segments of the religious right that would prefer an all powerful government able to rise above the law to suspend the US Constitution, but also by a public which has rejected outright this constitutional subversion. The GOP knows it must win back those voters and we must consider what they are going to do to make that a reality.
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The Issues
Same Sex Marriage and Abortion
Think simplicity. Which actions would once again endear the religious right? Without a doubt, amending the constitution to ban same sex marriage is a very realistic option. So is the possibility of overturning Roe v Wade. These two issues play well with the religious right and would probably allow the Republicans to atone for their sins in the Schiavo affair in the eyes of that faction. Look for a very hard push now by the Bush administration to ensure they win back that base by championing these issues.
The Democrats must get on top of both of these coming storms now. They cannot afford to be reactionary. They have been very vocal to this point but during this calm before the coming storm, every strategist must be preparing to respond in a way not yet seen in order to protect the rights of all involved. We already know that the GOP is not beyond using gays and women as sacrificial lambs and the Dems need to step in immediately to stop the slaughter.
Social Security
As America has been focused on the struggles of one Florida woman, Bush has been on a road show to push his Social Security "Reform" agenda while groups like Progress For America have been blitzing states like Iowa. The central issue, that of implementing personal accounts, is not playing all that well with many Americans and the AARP, which supported Bush's Prescription Drug Bill, are now strongly opposed to these "reforms".
The Bush administration cannot afford to lose the support of a huge lobby group like the AARP and while Democrats are busy meeting worth AARP members, they must also think ahead to how Bushco will try to win back these older voters. What will bring them back into the Republican fold and how can the Democrats best prepare for it?
I can't and won't go into each important issue here. My point is that contigency plans are being made right now by the GOP to win back these blocks of voters and Democrats must be thinking ahead in order to effectively strategize how best to take advantage of the current loss of support. In the case of the AARP, they may indeed be fair weather friends of the Bush administration - switching support according to the issue. But, the outrage of the religious right who, granted, will never vote Democrat, will be troubling for the Republicans and I'm convinced they will do everything in their power (and probably beyond it, as we have seen) to win them back.
The message is clear - Democrats must mobilize their forces now and in ways not seen before. Look forward and never doubt the power of a good offense.
[editor's note, by catnip] I should have included another large constituency of voters who are also questioning the Bush agenda: the fiscal conservatives. Many have voiced their displeasure with the handling of the economic agenda under the Bush administration as they've watched the deficit ballooning to proportions never seen before. This segment also has major concerns about adding some $2 trillion more dollars to the deficit as a result of Bush's SS reform proposals. Democrats have an excellent opportunity to posit themselves as the symbols of fiscal responsibility. That cannot be ignored.
Update [2005-3-27 20:37:6 by catnip]: The input here has been great, so I'm compiling the main points and preparing a second diary with a proposed plan. Thanks to all who have participated and to those lurkers who have read the diary and comments as well!