Republicans wanting to distance themselves from the "Religious Right"

[the_mango55]

Do you really think that's the best idea?

Yes, I agree they shouldn't go as far as to pick an evangelical imbecile running mate like Palin, but Huckabee is also part of the evangelical group, and would have been a fine running mate.

Do you as Republicans think you can count on the evangelical vote by default?



I think if the Republican party cut themselves off from this group, and moved towards a more libertarian stance, the Democrats could win over huge blocks of evangelicals on a "What Would Jesus Do?" campaign.

[danzig]

Distancing no because THEY arent the problem, its neocons that they need to distances themselves from. Evangelicals are simply a voting block who have issues they care about which politicans have to address on some level just like every other group. Why do you think people like Dean tried to reach out with some success to find common ground with them like on enviroment. The GOP *was* doing well with tapping into hispanic and asian voters in the same way until this election.

[Heinz Guderian]

I think the religious right could form a pretty influential and powerful party with the help of the Christian Coalition and people like Falwell and Robertson. I think they could count on at least 30% of america.

[the_mango55]

Falwell is dead.

Robertson likely will be soon.


The new wave of Christian leadership may not have as many Republican ties.

[Heinz Guderian]

Fallwell is dead.

He watches us and guides us from Heaven.

edit: i mean the way those two guys united disparate entities and made them the powerful players they are today. In the 1920s they (the "fundamentalists" - their own term) were quite poweful, and then they lost cohesion. They came back in a big way in the 70s and 80s through networking, common cause and expediency. Now they can count on a large influence in both houses especially in the way certain congressman vote.

I posted about this ages ago. If anyone's interested i could dig out that post which had lots of links and stats. Or i can go back to trolling and generally being an ass.

[removeduser_426582376423734]

The Dems have the youth vote and the black vote. What else do the Republicans have if not the religious right vote? They need a strong base in the extremes if they are to sway those in the middle.

[Mikelus Trento]

They need to cut loose of the evangelical right, position themselves slightly right of center, develop a platform that appeals to people, of all colors and beliefs who embrace a slightly conservative view. And nurture a young, culturally diverse superstar. This would be my suggestion.

Or they can tilt totally toward the evangelical right and see their supporters continue to erode.

[Hunter Makoy]

The Dems have the youth vote and the black vote. What else do the Republicans have if not the religious right vote?

a large majority of people with a college degree. that goes for men and women. they need to do more to reach out to the ethnic groups that are still culturally conservative: blacks and Hispanics. those mainly go to the Dems because they promise the government will take care of them. if the GOP can prove that they dont need the big government to take care of them, then they can start pulling them in.

seriously, i can pose the same question to u: wat do the Dems have if not the minority and high school education vote?

[removeduser_426582376423734]

seriously, i can pose the same question to u: wat do the Dems have if not the minority and high school education vote?

Very little. That's the point. Do all you can to keep them, then work for the rest.

[the_mango55]

You think the tens of millions of evangelical voters will just stop voting?


The "Religious Right" is only to the right because the Republicans have been pandering to them on issues like abortion and gay marriage.

[The Good]

Define "Evangelical." Is this a new denomination, or group of churches? Or is it a certain theological stance on Christianity?

Obviously, I have no problem with particularily religious (especially Christian) Republicans. I disagree with the conventional politics of the Democratic Party, but I still respect the Christians in it.

[Mikelus Trento]

Define "Evangelical." Is this a new denomination, or group of churches? Or is it a certain theological stance on Christianity?

Obviously, I have no problem with particularily religious (especially Christian) Republicans. I disagree with the conventional politics of the Democratic Party, but I still respect the Christians in it.

I can only tell you the way *I* define evangelicals...

It is those who either use the name of Christ in a way he never intended it to be used for their own agenda, or those who have no tolerance for those of other beliefs....be they religeous, political, or scientific. They are closer to the spirit of jihad than they are to Christ.

By that definition the Crusaders were evangelicals. Pro-life folks usually are.

That's the way simple ol' me sees it.

[Mithie]

I should hope so - especially considering God seems to be on the other side, if the election was any proof.

[Hunter Makoy]

I should hope so - especially considering God seems to be on the other side, if the election was any proof.

well duh! his son was running for President

[Mithie]

well duh! his son was running for President

Haha, glad somebody got my setup. Well done, sir.

[Hunter Makoy]

Haha, glad somebody got my setup. Well done, sir.

set up? Obama IS the Messiah isn't he?

[The King Of Peasants]

They need to cut loose of the evangelical right, position themselves slightly right of center, develop a platform that appeals to people, of all colors and beliefs who embrace a slightly conservative view. And nurture a young, culturally diverse superstar. This would be my suggestion.

Or they can tilt totally toward the evangelical right and see their supporters continue to erode.

As has already been said alienating an large block of the electorate is definitely not the course we should take but being a liberal I can understand you wanting this strategy. Huckabee is the best shot for the evangelicals as he is:
a. very reasonable and charismatic
b. knows what he is talking about.
and c. has shown he can appeal to a large range of people.

Anyways at the end of the day we need the Reagan strategy again a conservative coalition is the only way to go which needs a charismatic leader who alsocan appeal to a large range of groups, neither of which McCain was.


The democrats have many practically automatic members who vote for them either way in the youth and black votes.

[WrathofTulkas]

Neo-Conservative - Foriegn policy - We cannot "build" Little democracies all over the middle east.

The religious people are not the problem.

[The King Of Peasants]

Since everyone in the party is so busy distancing themselves from Bush religious conservatives who generally don't have all that much to do with politics are getting the rap.

[André Masséna]

Of course not. The Religious Right did not vote with McCain this time around as they did with Bush.

The Religious Right is a force to be reckoned with still, disenfranchising them will only cause the Republicans woe and defeat.

Huckabee WILL be a major player in 2012. He may not win the primary (or he may) but I assure you, he will be on the ticket. He's got the Charisma, he's got the know how, and he's got the looks.

I'm thinking a Huckabee/Jindal ticket is in order. You may disagree, but I don't care. It's pretty strong combo of Conservatism and the Religious Right wing.