Putting the question of marijuana legalization on state ballots in 2012 may be one of the most effective ways for a dispirited Democratic Party to get reluctant voters out to the polls. The wild card in the coming midterms and in 2012 will be the "surge" voters -- people who were driven to the polls in 2008 through a once-in-a-generation mix of shame at the outgoing administration and hope in a new, barrier-breaking candidate. Democrats are investing millions in figuring out how to get those voters out, and the marijuana issue is getting increasing attention from political operatives.
Turning out an extra few percent can be the difference between winning and losing in swing states, a reality Karl Rove exploited in 2004 by papering the nation with anti-gay marriage initiatives.
Support for marijuana legalization has been ticking up over the past decade as residents of states with legal medical marijuana realize that the sky hasn't fallen. And backing has surged more recently amid deficit hysteria and a declining economy, as voters are less inclined to spend tax dollars on a drug war when instead marijuana could itself be taxed and used to create jobs.
Republicans trying to derail pot as voter bait like that would loose a lot of support with their base. Like they lost support of their base in 2006 by trying to reach across the isle and be nice to democrats.
hanelyp wrote:Republicans trying to derail pot as voter bait like that would loose a lot of support with their base. Like they lost support of their base in 2006 by trying to reach across the isle and be nice to democrats.
The Republicans never lost their base. They lost the swing voters.
hanelyp wrote:Republicans trying to derail pot as voter bait like that would loose a lot of support with their base. Like they lost support of their base in 2006 by trying to reach across the isle and be nice to democrats.
The Republicans never lost their base. They lost the swing voters.
hanelyp wrote:Republicans trying to derail pot as voter bait like that would loose a lot of support with their base. Like they lost support of their base in 2006 by trying to reach across the isle and be nice to democrats.
The Republicans never lost their base. They lost the swing voters.
And don't forget that country wide pot legalization is at around 52% and is gaining ground. By 2012 it could be a very important question.
Actually, the Republicans didn't lose their evangelicals, but they did lose their libertarians, which I had been predicting since 2004 anyways.
On my blog I had been begging them since 2004 to quit the culture war and the overspending in order to keep their coalition together. They didn't listen.
And from what I can tell they are still not listening. I predict they will get in for a few years and then blow it again.
Engineering is the art of making what you want from what you can get at a profit.