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There are already indications that the Republicans are going to do a few things that will affect how we make gains. First off, Arlen Specter is telling the White House that he doesn't want to see Roe v Wade overturned, thus he doesn't want to see a Judge that may do just that. This is a double edged sword. First off, the first Justice to go is probably Rehnquist, so a RW judge would be the same as the Chief. If Roe v Wade is overturned, then it will be left up to the states to decide abortion. If this happens, the Republicans have lost their biggest vote getter and the people that cannot bring themselves to vote for Democrats because of a perceived callousness to moral values will now be able to vote for other issues, issues that we will win. On the other hand, I don't believe Roe v Wade will ever be overturned because the Republicans need that decision. When the "moral issues" voters do not get that prize, they will feel betrayed by the Republicans. The Democrats are going to have to allow the Republicans to put up or shut up. Remember, Bush has already said that he does not want to make abortion illegal. He has also said that the War and Tax Cuts are his big priorities - NOT moral issues.
The other big issue is Gay Marriage. This is the fight between whether people tolerate homosexuality, which I believe a large majority is willing to do and embracing and celebrating homosexuality, which I believe most people are not willing to do. If this issue can be couched, as Barry Goldwater did, as a simple Equal Protection Constitutional issue, I think it becomes neutral.
I also think we need to throw in the towel on guns. Although state and local governments MUST be allowed to make thier own decisions. If the Republicans want to coerce State and Local governments to dissemble their own gun laws, it will be couched as Federal Governemnt tyrrany, which Right Wingers fear more than Hillary. They have already started this in DC, but DC has different rules.
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