The GOP's insane goal-line stand

This strategy might make sense in a solidly right-of-center country. But the bottom line is that the action in American politics is generally between the 45-yard lines. Only 34% of the electorate considers itself conservative, which means that to form a majority, conservatives must convince about a third of the 44% of voters who consider themselves moderate to join an electoral coalition with them…

Right now, a substantial portion of the Republican party is demanding that all of their players occupy territory somewhere around their own 10-yard line. This may make sense in a state like Georgia. In states where a solidly conservative candidate simply cannot win because that state is positioned more around the opposing 40 (or in the case of Rhode Island, at the opposing side’s twenty yard line), it is insane. A party with such a viewpoint cannot form a lasting majority coalition, absent an implosion from the other side.