I wouldn't get all excited about this. In the end, I think Republicans will fall in line like they always do. Sure, there has been lots of vocal, high profile opposition to McCain and lots of anger from the right wing of the party. But, there are plenty of high profile voices (like Rove) implying that McCain was probably the best choice Republicans could have made this year.
Look, Republicans had lots of choices and they didn't have significant numbers of voters from the other party influencing the outcome like the Democrats had in their primary. GOP voters picked McCain resoundingly. I think their voters will fall in line.
Unlike the Democrats, their party didn't choose the favorite of the netroots. That's why you hear all of the online bellyaching.
When you're two months into a unity period and people are still mad and threatening to stay home, it's a good thing. The states that McCain needs to win are close enough that a 1-2% protest vote will be enough to send them easily to the Obama column.
Their unhappy campers are the right wing for whom Obama is most likely to be an anathema. Our unhappy campers are comprised heavily of moderate and conservative Democrats for whom McCain is one of the more palatable Republican choices.
since most Democrats I know are more conservative that us here...pro-life, pro-gun, pro-bombing the crap out of Muslim countries. For them they either support Obama or McCain and HATE Hillary.
Do you not realize how unconvincing that is? Like the old line lampooning the New York upscale liberal - "I don't know how Nixon could have won. Nobody I know voted for him."
There are obvious regional differences in Clinton's support (or opposition if you prefer). In eastern US, Appalachia, and southwestern US, she does well among moderate Dems. In the northern midwest/plains/rockies and the coastal south, people seem to have a strong dislike of her. Maybe you live in one of those places.
I live amongst the "New York upscale liberals" where she won 70% of the vote in February and now would be lucky to beat McCain one on one.
Things have turned on her here in New York...fast...and among the white middle-class too. The older vote is going to McCain regardless, the youngins are voting Obama or staying home if Hillary is the nominee.
every Hillary supporter I know will vote for Obama except the very few who will never vote for a black man (I remember their staunch opposition to Carl McCall in 2002 and they let out a groan when Governor Paterson took office in 2002)
I believe the party will eventually unite behind the nominee, and Obama will work to get voters who didn't vote for him in the primary and if you truly feel the party has left you and you can't be a member of this party anymore, no one is standing in your way to the door. You can whine and moan about how thousands will join you, but I suspect you are going to find yourself standing outside the door with lonely company.
But I'm a big boy and, if it comes to that, can survive periods of loneliness.
who up until now have NEVER chosen the candidate of the netroots.
