Salon's Michael Scherer reports that religious conservatives are so unhappy with the prospect of Rudy Giuliani winning the Republican nomination that they're considering a third-party run:
A powerful group of conservative Christian leaders decided Saturday at a private meeting in Salt Lake City to consider supporting a third-party candidate for president if a pro-choice nominee like Rudy Giuliani wins the Republican nomination.
The meeting of about 50 leaders, including Focus on the Family's James Dobson, the Family Research Council's Tony Perkins and former presidential candidate Gary Bauer, who called in by phone, took place at the Grand America Hotel during a gathering of the Council for National Policy, a powerful shadow group of mostly religious conservatives. James Clymer, the chairman of the U.S. Constitution Party, was also present at the meeting, according to a person familiar with the proceedings.
"The conclusion was that if there is a pro-abortion nominee they will consider working with a third party," said the person, who spoke to Salon on the condition of anonymity. The private meeting was not a part of the official CNP schedule, which is itself a closely held secret. "Dobson came in just for this meeting," the person said.
GOP political operatives are confounded: Don't those preachers understand that a third party candidacy that siphons off even a percentage point could doom the Republican candidate?
Ummm, yes. Yes they do. And if the Republicans can't find a better rationale for '08 than "At Least He's Not Hillary," then ... why not?
-- David Eldridge, managing editor, WashingtonTimes.com
Comments (8)
Unbelievers don't understand that the lesser of two or more evils, is still evil. Conservative Christians seem to be finally catching on to this idea.
Why would a REAL Christian want to vote for someone from a pagan background, or from an immoral background!
It's time to depose the industrialist-warmongers from the Northeast, as well as the scalawag deceivers.
Posted by Doug Stewart | October 2, 2007 10:54 AM
The democratic party has never fully appreciated the deep sincere fear many of us have of any kind of acceptance of homosexual behavior. The fear and disgust we have for this behavior (not the human beings who choose to engage in the behaviors) totally informs a significant proportion of voters. On the other hand the republican party does not offer appropriate ideas to those of us who know that Jesus was much more energized by the injustices and the inequities suffered by the poor and the disenfranchised than he ever was by the sins of the flesh. Survival of the fittest and attitudes of superiority toward the less fortunate were not a part of His teachings. He would support an "even playing field" accomplished by the rich sharing their bounty even if it can only be accomplished by tweaking the tax structure.
Posted by Mary Abbott | October 2, 2007 12:58 PM
Right now the Christian Right needs to get behind RON PAUL. Paul is a pro-life physician who has delivered thousands of babies.
He supports home schooling and private schooling.
He is the greatest fiscal conservative and champion of limited government in Congress, perhaps in all congressional history.
He is pro-peace and pro-liberty. And he is a man of absolutely unimpeachable character and honesty.
Learn about this great man: http://www.ronpaul2008.com/
Posted by James W. Harris | October 2, 2007 3:36 PM
You're wrong about Ron Paul. He is not pro-life. You've been misinformed.
Posted by anonymous | October 3, 2007 10:50 PM
To add to my earlier comment, Ron Paul was known to be a libertarian with more of a hands-off approach, yet his congressional voting record does back up his current claims.
Posted by anonymous | October 3, 2007 11:02 PM
It is unfortunate that Mr. Stewart chooses radical fundamentalist "Christian" propaganda to support his views. His apparent reference to Mr. Giuliani as "someone from a pagan background" exhibits the anti-Catholic bigotry and bias of fundamentalists that has made Republicans easy targets for the liberal media and secular left. All the more reason for mainstream Republicans to divorce themselves from the radical "Christian" right.
Posted by Don Whicker | October 3, 2007 11:39 PM
Face it guys, you will see Guiliani in the White House well before Brownback. America doesn't want Christian fundamentalism in the White House. Dobson, Robertson, Bauer and all those other power hungry, religious malcontents must face the facts and understand that their dream candidate anti-gay rights and pro-life puppet GW Bush has not honored any of his promises to his most important base. Abortion is still legal and the constitution has yet to define marriage between a man and a woman. Oh yeah, and didn't Schiavo die a peaceful death instead of living a suffering life? It doesn't matter who wins the White House, Fundamentalism will never govern America.
Posted by Brian K | October 4, 2007 12:30 PM
The voice of concerned constituents is rarely reflected in Congressional vote results. We often feel disenfranchised --and vent our outrage in these columns. Especially in California, we seem to be represented by people who only vote the Democratic party line, lock step. The Washington Times could do us all a great favor by listing all the health, immigration, tax, food safety, etc.. issues up for vote, which directly effect the American citizens, on a voting "page"; where we can vote by district and state, yea/nay. Then we will see whether our representative's and senator's votes reflect the opinions of constituents.With your help and the internet speed we can be heard.
Posted by John M | October 13, 2007 1:47 PM