I think the selection of Sarah Palin has created a huge opening for The Democratic Party to pick off 20% of the Republican Party. I'm talking about fiscally-responsible, pro-choice Republicans...
This particular subset is found in the New England States. For example George H W Bush's Parents were involved in Planned Parenthood. Heck Senior himself was the one who coined the term 'voodoo economics'
They also go by other names such as RINOs (Republican in Name Only). Other examples are the two Senators from Maine, Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins. This group of people has been insulted by the Politics-playing-Christian-Right-Borderline-Insane-branch of the Republican Party for about 20 years now., They have been increasingly marginalized since the days of Ronald Reagan. They have to be feeling even further ostracized by the Palin nomination. It is time for us to give them a home.
Especially now in the wake of Palin's Fannie/Freddie gaffe, and McCain's great "I need to read Greenspan's book" line there is room to go on the attack, hence the title.
How do we do it?
Well, I'd start by naming them and asking for their business. I think the DNC could market for them in the Wall Street Journal, Money Magazine, Kiplinger, etc. The ad should say something super honest that can't be used against the campaign such as:
"If you make more than $250,000/year Barack Obama wants to raise your taxes, here's why you should vote for him anyway..."
...and then follow with a detailed, rational argument laying out stock market performance and national debt and deficit numbers since the Kennedy administration.
- A central argument needs to be that a compounding multitrillion dollar debt is the same as a tax, and it is a better problem solved now rather than later.
- Health Care is a burden Ford and GM face but Toyota doesn't (except in their US plants)
- Correct Energy Policy can be the engine that grows the economy, while solving National Security Issues
- $10 billion/month in Iraq.
- Stock Market Performance during the Clinton years verse the Bush Years.
- Real Inflation during the Bush administration is the same as a Tax.
I think there would be media buzz about this kind of ad campaign, that could be very helpful.
There are a couple advantages to this line of attack:
First of all, Social Conservatives have made up their minds and don't seem to be listening to reason about Palin, the scandals, or McCain's judgement in picking her. There is no time to waste arguing with turnips. This argument goes right over their heads, (which is okay, in an ideal world they would have an enthusiastic 35% of the majority and keep almost winning elections for about twelve years).
Secondly, Fiscal conservatives, on the other hand, tend to have more of an ability to follow up and check the facts and are generally more open to a good argument.
On a related note, in personal conversations, I think these points make great talking points, assuming first that you have identified that the person has an open mind.
Finally a couple links on diaries of interest to open minded fiscal conservatives:
"An accomplished liar, but that's a good thing" by Hunter
http://www.dailykos.com/...
"Palin's HUGE bailout "gaffe" - bite her head off Joe!" by Reef the Dog
http://www.dailykos.com/...
"Palin's Fiscal and Executive Mismangement" by John Campanelli
http://www.dailykos.com/...
Update 1: Thanks everyone for the kind words, on a related matter, would a Ross Perot endorsement, complete with charts and graphs, be a good way to retake the news cycle? I've heard he hates McCain, and I'm sure he gets that Obama gets it.