Regardless of who wins on Tuesday, this election, like so many others will be close. The democrats could start winning elections handily for years to come, if they would embrace one issue...GUNS.
I'm a democrat. I probably could be classified as a liberal. And like about 30% of democrats, I am a gun owner. 65% of republicans are gun owners. I believe that they are gun owners first and republicans second. They embrace the republican party because they are convinced (with some basis in fact) that democrats want to take away their gun rights.
I enjoy hunting. I'm not writing to argue the merits of my sport. I live in Northern California. I've heard all the anti hunting arguments. I have been subject to derision. I enjoy hunting. Get over it.
ALL the people I have hunted with (with one exception) vote republican. In many cases, these hunters are voting against their own economic and political interests, for one reason only. Gun ownership. All other arguments about corporate take over of our economy, deficits, healthcare, choose your topic, are ignored, because in their minds, the democrats are coming to take their guns.
If the democratic party could push their rabid gun controllers to the fringe and open the doors to the NRA, at least declare a truce with the NRA, I am convinced that some of the hearts and minds of those 65% of republicans who embrace their guns, would open up to the democratic agenda. It's in their best interest to do so. It is also in the best interest of the democratic party. Imagine the election results if only 10% of republican gun owners voted democratic. Landslide.