The perception that the Democrats have become more conservative is a huge advantage and we should embrace it.
The Republicans got elected because people had the perception that they were moderates. Now, the tables have turned and the media, including Fox news, is labeling the Democrats as moderates.
Essentially, the middle roaders, the independants, the moderate Republicans of the country are being gift wrapped and handed to Democrats. So let's embrace this. Let's keep our agenda exactly the way we have it, but call it a moderate agenda.
But what to do about the abortion issue...?
During the past few weeks and through the election, even now after it, not much has been made of the abortion issue, even though a Democrat House and Senate kills plans to add more conservative justices to the Supreme Court, and even though the partial birth abortion ban issue is soon to come before the Supreme Court.
I think this shows that the abortion issue is less important for the bulk of this country than the media and the conservatives would have us believe. The elections show that even though this is a huge wedge issue for pro-lifer's, they are still willing to vote Democrat because other issues are far more important. Pro-lifers are even more comfortable if they feel we are moderate (true or untrue, who cares).
It shows that there are degrees of enthusiasm within the pro-life position, which Democrats can overcome.
Here are some strategies that I think would help us retain support from people who would otherwise be Democrat except for a pro-life position:
1. Embrace the spin that the new democratic party is moderate and open to pro-lifers (Casey, Reid, etc.).
2. Follow the lead of Jimmy Carter and other Democrats: put the issue of abortion where it really belongs by tying it directly to progressive positions on poverty, education, and job opportunities. If Democrats can show that we can reduce abortions as a symptom of the latter three things, we can win a lot of support from people who are progressive on everything else except the abortion issue.
3. Maintain the status quo for the next couple of years. Abortion is a hornets nest, and this last election shows that people can ignore it. But if Democrats or Republicans had stirred up this issue, we might not have done so well this past week.
People with Pro-life leanings can support Democrats, have supported Democrats this past week, and will continue to support Democrats as long as they feel Democrats are moderate and do care about reducing the number the abortions. If Republicans say abortion, we say poverty, education, and jobs (join them at the hip and let no one seperate abortion from a larger progressive agenda).
If we take even a piece of this base away from the Republicans, they'll continue to lose every time.