Karl Rove's "architectural" split of the Republican Party?

Interesting article today in the NY Times, regarding Bill Frist and the Presbyterian Church. Frist, a potential conservative, religious right, presidential nominee for the Republicans in 2008, is having some trouble with his role as majority leader of the Senate and the Religious Right Agenda. His problem is indicative of the growing problem for all Republicans vying for the White House in 2008.

The issue for Republican presidential hopefuls is "How Conservative and Religious should I be"? Leaning to the Religious and conservative Right will gain the religious voters of this nation. It will also alienate moderates in both parties when they head to the polls in 2008. Moderation is the political goal for any winning formula for the White House. It is a delicate balance. Will Santorum & Frist be perceived as conservative AND religious zealots? The current fervor of the Republican Right (Religious & Conservative elements) may hold these politicians to the legislative fire in order to secure their support in 2008. Each time these Republican Hopefuls support both conservative and religious legislation, judges or "Terry Shiavo" issues, they gradually push those moderate voters away.

In short, much like African American Voters in New York City, indispensability is the key to electoral power. Without the African American Votes in New York City, Democrats can never win a statewide election in New York. That power ingredient is not lost on the political leaders in the African American Communities of New York City. The same power formula is not lost on the Religious and Conservative Right Voters and Leaders in the Republican Party. The Republican Party as a whole also realizes this political algebra. But will the need to appease and fulfill the agenda of the Religious and Conservative Right split the Republican Party and the Moderate American Electorate? It is almost impossible for it not to do it.

Much in the same way that 1992 Democratic Liberals created a perception to moderate voters that they were out of touch with the needs and desires of the American People, so will the Religious and Conservative Right Wing of the Republican Party in 2008. In the future battle for the "middle" in the 2008 Presidential Election, the Democrats hold the advantage. ">Link