Q&A: John Sperling
NEWSWEEK: Your book says Democrats should stop even trying to appeal to people living in what you call "retro America," states characterized by conservative religious values and Republicanism, and focus instead on a more innovative "metro" voter. Coauthor, "The Great Divide": Well, they have to stop counting on getting any of those votes. Republicans own them. They need to face reality; if Democrats are going to become the majority party, they're going to have to build their own base. The Republicans have been brilliant; they have fantastic discipline and they have a dog-loyal base that will vote for them no matter what. The Democrats don't really have a base anymore. They need to target their message like the Republicans, and solidify their own constituency. If they do that, the numbers are on their side.
Highlights
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The Week Ahead on the Web
- Tuesdays, read the Borowitz Report by Andy Borowitz winner of the National Press Club's humor award.
- Richard Wolffe files on the presidential campaign in his Web-exclusive column, Trail Mix, published Tuesday.
- Join Christopher Dickey for a Live Talk on Iraq's archeology, Wednesday, Aug. 25, at noon, ET.
- On Wednesdays, check out Michael Isikoff and Mark Hosenball's investigative dispatch, Terror Watch.
- For an inside look at Washington and the White House race, read Eleanor Clift's Capitol Letter on Fridays.