In 2004 the GOP will be safe in Texas, where the state capital has seen a surge in white residents, and in other southern states that lack an appreciation for diversity. Bush is playing to a Southern Baptist constituency in a 21st century world. Historically, the Southern Baptists have been slow to accept change. Today, this denomination's leadership supports capital punishment, unequal treatment of gays and lesbians, and the theory that a woman's place is subordinate to and in service of her husband. In the past the same rationale was used to support slavery and segregation.
Time marches on.
Bush has his finger in a Republican dike. That dike is about to break.