This coming election year you might see for the first time since before 1980, the evangelical voters either stay home or walk away from the republican party. It is not that all evange;licals are repsublicans, but a large precentage usual vote with that party. So how did this happen and when did it start? I want to suggest that in the fall of 2006, there was a decision made to "stand away" (what I mean is that the repubs want our votes -- but they don't what to associate with us -- we are bad publicity) and so a concerted effort by the moderate/liberal element in the party began to push us away. A matter of fact, I wrote an editorial on the issue in the fall of '06.....
Letter to the Editor
Republicans No Longer Want Evangelicals’ Vote?
Dear Editor:
It is very unusual for me to be critical of the Republicans however recent statements by prominent Republicans and the eerie silence of present RNC leadership makes it necessary for me to speak. In October 2005, former Republican Senator from Missouri John Danforth, while speaking at the Clinton School of Public Service pronounced that “evangelical Christians are ruining the Republican Party and dividing the Nation.” Obviously Mr. Danforth was reacting to the strong influence that Evangelical Christianity has had on things like Supreme Court nominees. It is true that many if not most evangelicals were very nervous about Harriett Miers nomination. She was a complete unknown; she had no experience as a jurist and even though she claimed to be a Christian, we like Mr. Danforth are good Missourians need some “SHOW-ME” evidence when it comes to her philosophy and leanings as a judge. If evangelical pressure caused Ms. Miers to withdraw, I think we did the country a favor. Whatever the case, I am puzzled – “evangelicals ruining the party???”
What I am incensed about is that Mr. Danforth’s comments were never rebuked or rebuffed by any other Republican. A matter of fact I went on a mission of calling the RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman and demanded a statement denouncing Danforth’s claims. No press release! I contacted the State Republican office and they said they were unaware of the comments. No rebuke! I then called Lancaster office (twice) and David Dumeyer is yet to show me the courtesy to return my calls and contact me. I called Santorum, Specter (who probably believes what Danforth believes) and Pitts – not one comment, rebuke or press release. Are evangelicals now the “third rail” in the political world?
The Republicans’ silence in regards to Mr. Danforth’s degradation of evangelicals, like myself, is not only offensive, but outrageous just twelve months after WE gave them the White House and both Houses of Congress - AGAIN. My guess is that a year ago they would have reigned in Danforth and given him a Bible Study out back in the wood shed so not to lose the 4.4 million votes!
I recognize that evangelicals are a problem. We have moral clarity, in that we understand the meaning of right and wrong; our Biblical believes galvanize our convictions. And we have courage; emboldened by our love for God and desire to experience the blessing of our creator. We don’t like to compromise and that tenacity makes it hard to politic around what we say are non-negotiable. Our presence in any party makes it hard to play fast and loose with issues like abortion; same sex marriage; supreme court appointees; humanism in the classroom and parental authority. But remember, with the bad comes the good. We have brought to the table a voting block that any political operative would love to have on their team.
So I wait to see what Republican leader has the courage and wisdom to stand up and declare that Danforth is a complete idiot! If the silence continues then I must conclude that the Republicans no longer need our votes. Maybe they hope enough time will go by for us to forget Danforth’s attack of our character and the false accusation of our negative affect on a Party which has benefited from our support. And please don’t send me any letter of apologies quietly and behind close doors, the chance to do that has passed. If you appreciate our presence in the Party, stand up and be counted! If not maybe the Constitution Party could use 4.4 million votes next November!
Dr. Jamie Mitchell
Lancaster, PA
There you have it....so what was the outcome of their pushing us away...let's see???? We lost the House and Senate that year.....Nancy Pelosi became Speaker of the House....Pres. Bush began getting trashed by everyone....greater divide occurred and we are now looking at McCann or Hill-obama in the White House.