If Republicans can’t hold their moderates, how will they win elections?
Today, in the New York Times, is an article on Republicans’ larger problem: not just losing a moderate like Arlen Specter, but the party’s increased ideological marginalization (such as on issues like gay equality). John McCain’s chief strategist in the last election, Steve Schmidt, is quoted as saying:
“The Republican Party is shrinking,” he said. “One of the reasons it is shrinking is because there are large demographics in this country that view the party as intolerant or not relevant to them. Politics is about addition.”
One of the things I’ve always liked about Arlen Specter is his moderation. The Republican Party, in its zeal for purity, has lost one of the jewels of its tribe.
Prometheus Unbound 