Reply #30: Simple mathematics [View All]

Convert a 'green' voter and Dems gain a vote and (anonymous 3rd party candidate) loses one. Net gain of 1 vote.

Convert a 'centrist' voter and not only do the Dems gain a vote, but Bush loses one. Net gain of 2 votes.

Given the stark differences between the parties these days, virtually all easily converted 'green' voters will already vote Dem. Converting the remainder will be very hard work and has only half the payoff of converting centrists. Centrist swing-voters tend not to hold very strong positions and are more easily swayed back-and-forth anyway.

The winning strategy is thus clear, for better or for worse.

(EDIT: I should add that the pool of centrist swing-voters is also much larger than the pool of 'green' voters. That just reinforces the argument above.)

--Peter