Re "Rapid change in electorate tests GOP" (Page A1, Nov. 8): Now that the election furor has passed, the next great focus of speculation will be the future of the Republican Party. The cramped corner of the political spectrum into which Rush Limbaugh, Grover Norquist, et. al. lured a once-diverse party now looks like a type of self-marginalization for grouchy, old white people.
The GOP had better come to terms quickly with the fact that while they may stay grouchy -- and will certainly stay white -- the actuarial reality is that they will not be old for very much longer. One wonders, then, where and how the GOP will find recruits to replace them.
They might usefully consider the "evolution" of Mitt Romney during this campaign from reasoned moderate to pandering right-wing extremist. Perhaps the GOP could make a highlight newsreel of that transformation and run it in reverse to show a path back from the political brink.
-- Michael Betcher, Placerville
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