...are there enough rank-and-file Republicans whispering their support at Obama rallies to actually make a difference on Election Day?

As I discovered from examination the last 18 months of head-to-head general election polls, the answer is an emphatic "no." In fact, John McCain's share of the Democratic vote has typically been larger than Obama's share of the Republican vote.

No worries — there are still several more Amendments Obama can burn to light the way for potential recruits from "the party of ideas."