How to scare off Middle America

Washington Post columnist Dana Milbank observes: "There has been much handwringing among Republicans in recent weeks about the lack of a strong candidate in the GOP presidential field. But the problem may be less the messenger than the message. [...] the religious conservatives who dominate primaries are pulling Republicans back toward themes such as abortion and gay rights. The Tea Party is morphing from an economic movement into a conventional moral crusade." If Milbank is right, this is a sure-fire prescription for losing the 2012 presidential election.