INDEPENDENTS AND BUSH

They’re bailing after the Iraq war. The problem for Bush and Rove is that, apart from the war, they have nothing to appeal to independent voters on. The tax-cutting and deficit explosion has turned off the fiscal conservatives. And the pandering to the religious right in judicial nominations and the rallying behind Santorum has alienated social liberals and libertarians. In fact, I can’t see any domestic policies designed to appeal to the center-right or middle. The mere mouthing of the phrases “compassion” and “inclusion” won’t hack it. But does Rove have any other suggestions that won’t alienate the theocons?