Conservatives and the New Politics of Pot

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

In a recent Newsweek article, they talked about how the Tea Party has Libertarian leanings, and how there are Conservatives who support the legalization of pot, and how the Republican party could go from the party of "Just Say No", to the party of "Just Say Grow". Here are some quotes. I want to know what the forum thinks about the Republicans possible re-aligning.

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What does anyone else think?

[tpfkaw]

Certainly a promising trend in the GOP.  Still, I'm inclined to take a "wait-and-see" approach before wildly celebrating.

[dead0man]

If they want to win people like me back it would be a great start.  There would still be some demographics they'd need to ...ahem...."weed" out as well, but like I said, it would be a great start.

[Frodo]

As long as the South remains the bedrock of the GOP, I can't see it happening. 

[Free Palestine]

They could always take the Constitutional position, and oppose or support it at the state level, however they may please, and support the repeal of federal drug laws.  Or, at least, federal laws against weed.

[opebo]

If there are ever any increases in personal freedom in the Bad Place they will come from the Left, as they always have.

[dead0man]

Unless that personal freedom involves guns, money or toys at McDonalds.

[Sewer]

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lol, no

[King]

Unless that personal freedom involves guns, money or toys at McDonalds.

Yes, my freedom to shoot somebody is far more important to me than the freedom to enjoy happy and intoxicated lifestyle.

[Yelnoc]

As long as the South remains the bedrock of the GOP, I can't see it happening. 

The south is riddled with potheads.  Unfortunately for the flower children, those aren't the voters.

[angus]

What does anyone else think?

I think that one of most active anti-Proposition 19 forces in California was the cannabis-growers lobby.  Sounds weird, but their argument was that "Big Agribusiness" would come in a spoil a 3 billion-dollar success story. 

Sure, many legalization types are Republicans.  As are many Democrats.  I don't think any re-alignments are necessary.  These yes/no questions often don't fall along party lines.

[they don't love you like i love you]

See Prop 19 map and exit poll. Enough said.

[memphis]

There's always been a small libertarian minority within the GOP. No way in hell it's going to become an issue Republicans run on.

[President Mitt]

They could always take the Constitutional position, and oppose or support it at the state level, however they may please, and support the repeal of federal drug laws.  Or, at least, federal laws against weed.

Republican voters don't want the constitutional position. They want the 'tough' on crime/drugs position.