http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100408/ap_on_el_pr/us_republicans_tea_party_purityThis is something I think will be more acute in 2012 than it even normally is. The result could be a more conservative nominee. Maybe Thune. This article lingers on Rick Perry who I do think is a good bet to run. McDonnell's woopsie on slavery makes you wonder if he's positioning himself to be the Teabag VP candidate. If a moderate like Romney wins (and I still call him the favorite by a lot), he may have to tack hard to the right in order to do so. In the meantime, Obama will have staked out the center. He's already done so in his governing. I realize the Rightwing doesn't notice but the opposition party rarely recognizes and even less rarely credits the centrism of an opposition party president. It's already manifested itself a little bit on healthcare with Romney decrying what is essentially his own health plan.
