Stuck in the middle

Digby:

A thought to ponder as we debate whether we should be moving toward more social conservatism. The number one Republican in the US Senate just endorsed stem cell research and the number three Republican in the Senate just backed off his previous support for intelligent design.

This would indicate to me that these two politicians, one of whom is running for president and the other who is trying to keep his seat in a swing state, have seen numbers that indicate the religious right is hurting their chances. They are sistah sojah-ing like madmen pretty damn early in the game.

Look, that's all well and good. And I agree to a point with the sojah analysis. But the right is still the right. Dobson and company aren't going to come running to the Democrat's side anytime soon. And that's fine with me. But when it comes to Frist vs. Democrat A or Santorum vs. Democrat C, nine times out of ten the religous right is going to pull the lever for the guy with an R next to his name. Santorum and Frist know that. Those votes are in the bag.

That is, of course, if they come out and vote. And if the GOP can't prop up their guy, they will demonize the hell out of ours. So what if Frist endorses stem cells. He was still willing to diagnosis Terri Schiavo from across the country. Santorum can think what he wants of intelligent design. He still hates the gays.

So while, as Digby suggests, we are still closer to the middle than most Republicans are, Democrats should be sure to continue to paint their opponents outside the lines as much as possible. Because, as Bill Clinton can attest, those sojah moments can really pay off.