Talking points to an Eisenhower/Lincoln Republican.

[KitSileya]

I'm spending the weekend with a Republican friend and his wife, and I thought I'd do my bit for the election.

My friend is a classic Republican, not a neocon. He's one of those that could have made the Republican party great, if it hadn't been for the Bushco/Xtian fundie hijacking of it. He will vote for Kerry this election, and in Oregon, no less. However, I would appreciate it if any of you could give me some talking points and arguments so that I can enlighten him on the Kerry view of the issues at hand, and make him feel better for abandoning his party. He's very engaged in politics, has a polisci/economics degree, and dislikes fundamentalism, regardless of whether it's rightie or leftie, if you can understand what I mean.

I doubt that any fervent arguments will work, dispassionate ones are better. I've already used the fervent ones to convince him to vote for Kerry, even tho' that work mostly did itself as he saw what Bush stands for and is willing to do. But no matter how much we ridicule the republicans here on DU, as someone who doesn't live in a two-party state, I cannot see that annihilating the opposition can do democracy any good. It's not as if the Democratic Leadership has been a stalwart defender of the people either, even tho they've been better than BushCo. My hope is that by arguing with my friend now, I'll be sowing the seeds of creating a decent opposition in 10, 15, 20 years - I have no doubt that with time my friend will get involved in politics.

KitS
::who's going to work now, but will check in later, before my flight - we're meeting in London - to see the responses::