Christian Conservatives Consider Third-Party Effort

[rodeodance]

Source: wpost

September 30, 2007, 2:38 pm
Christian Conservatives Consider Third-Party Effort

By David D. Kirkpatrick

Alarmed at the chance that the Republican party might pick Rudolph Giuliani as its presidential nominee despite his support for abortion rights, a coalition of influential Christian conservatives is threatening to back a third-party candidate in an attempt to stop him.

The group making the threat, which came together Saturday in Salt Lake City during a break-away gathering during a meeting of the secretive Council for National Policy, includes Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family, who is perhaps the most influential of the group, as well as Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, the direct mail pioneer Richard Viguerie and dozens of other politically-oriented conservative Christians, participants said. Almost everyone present expressed support for a written resolution that “if the Republican Party nominates a pro-abortion candidate we will consider running a third party candidate.”

The participants spoke on condition of anonymity because the both the Council for National Policy and the smaller meeting were secret, but they said members of the intend to publicize its resolution. These participants said the group chose the qualified term “consider” because they have not yet identified an alternative third party candidate, but the group was largely united in its plans to bolt the party if Mr. Giuliani became the candidate.

A revolt of Christian conservative leaders could be a significant setback to the Giuliani campaign because white evangelical Protestants make up a major portion of Republican primary voters. But the threat is risky for the credibility of the Christian conservative movement as well. Some of its usual grass-roots supporters could still choose to support even a pro-choice Republican like Mr. Giuliani, either because they dislike the Democratic nominee even more or because they are worried about war, terrorism and other issues.
............

Read more: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/christan-conservatives-consider-third-party-effort/index.html?hp

[NMMNG]

1. Go ahead, throw away your votes.

[WindRavenX]

6. Abortions for all! *boo* Abortions for none! *boo* Very well then...abortions for some..

Mini American flags for all!

*hooray!*

[NMMNG]

12. LOL

The Simpsons rules!

[WileEcoyote]

30. How sweet it is!

You know I'm almost ashamed of myself for not predicting this. Then again it takes a little work to think as the other guy does. or in the case of republicans even know how to think at all.

Is generous to accuse the GOP rank & file of having the ability to even think...

Also too remember my prediction of the republican party going into self destruct mode. The amount of GOP members caught with their pants down and abusing kids is maybe twenty times the national average.

So with that in mind we can almost safely expect the GOP to becomes as hotly involved in sex scandal as the Catholic Church is. Probably worse.

When you REALLY get to know the GOP (as i do) you won't be shocked by the outrageous illegal, unethical and heinous criminal activities their leaders (and a substantial percentage of their members in general) are involved in.

Expect an utter and complete meltdown of the GOP. And also note at how clueless these third party nut cases will be: They actually think they have a chance at winning the election with a so called Christian conservative!

Death to the bastards as a political entity!

[DuaneBidoux]

80. Don't be so sure. Anyone repugnent enough to drive away conservatives might attract independents.

No Republican candidate has ever been required to be far right to be elected president, just far right to be nominated. I think a truly moderate Republican has a much greater chance of defeating a dem than a far right one.

[WileEcoyote]

59. "Conservative Christians?

Always remember that these aren't the most rational thinkers the world has ever seen. While they've been very effective at getting psychotic republican politicians elected this has been more a result of their effective manipulation by corporate America. Not because they are especially bright (understatement of the year).

These right wing nut false Christians actually BELIEVE that their idiotic message will captivate the attention of the masses and that their ranks will thus increase in number from more converts to their warped brand of religion. This just figure they need to keep working harder and harder at it. It's the reason we see these fools picketing at the Planned Parenthood center in Marin County or on the steps of City Hall in San Francisco.

Their advantage politically has always been their tireless enthusiasm to get out the vote. However since the GOP has fucked them royally they are simply rudderless. All this fanaticism and no outlet.

So expect a moderate third party nut case fringe Christian to run for president. he won't stand a chance but there is just TOO MUCH MONEY to be raised in the process of getting this wanabee elected.

And no shameless politician can refuse to turn down all that loot.

A decade or two later (assuming the third party lasts) expect them to regurgitate this new party and bring their mindless message somewhere else.

They may even become suicide bombers in large quantity. Not a high probability to happen actually but possible. Their fanaticism is so strong that many are not far removed from taking that plunge...

[Barrett808]

10. It makes no difference which one of us you vote for. Either way, your planet is doomed. DOOMED!

Kang: It makes no difference which one of us you vote for. Either way, your planet is doomed. DOOMED!
Kent: Well, a refreshingly frank response there from senator Bob Dole.

-- "Treehouse of Horror VII"

http://www.snpp.com/episodes/4F02.html

[LaStrega]

57. ... mmmmm Jello ...

http://www.greens.org/s-r/22/22-02.html

[mitchum]

2. Onward Christian Soldiers!

nice to see that they finally have a good idea

[BlueJazz]

9. I was reading (somewhat) the posts here....without my glasses and I thought...

...your post said "Dullard Christian Soldiers"

:rofl:

[dickbearton]

13. Exactly, And what will they call it?...

The ChristoFascist Party. How about Fascists for Jesus or maybe Nazis for Christ; as if they even understand the teachings of Jesus.

[billyoc]

26. Christian Falangists.

It's simple, but it says it. :shrug:

[TalkingDog]

75. Sounds like a thoroughly pre-verted illegal act.....Oh.....nevermind. n/t

My Favorite Master Artist: Karen Parker GhostWoman Studios

[daninthemoon]

3. Cool. Where do we send the checks. Bout time they got "Nader'd"

[rodeodance]

4. This is the same group that Cheney spoke at on Friday

[LeftishBrit]

5. What an insane bunch

I hope they do run a looneytunes third-party candidate; it would more-or-less ensure a Democratic victory.

[Island Blue]

7. Are none of the current contenders

batshit crazy enough for them. Yikes. :rofl:

[maseman]

8. PLEASEPLEASEPLEASEPLEASE

I will send $500 to the third-party candidate. This could be great great news. Split the Repuke money, split the votes, the Dems win.

Wow has the unified party of 2000 and 2004 gone away.

[CurtEastPoint]

23. Oh, no. One of them is. I have seen more FRED 08 stickers in Atlanta

on 'those' types of cars. They even venture into the intown (blue) areas. They love old Fred. Fuckers.

[tblue37]

39. Sam Brownback. He coverted from Protestant to

Opus Dei Catholic, but he supports all the things they really, really want--especially the antiabrotion platform and the idea of a theocracy.

[ClintonTyree]

53. I was going to say....

Brownshirt is the perfect christicrazy candidate. Must be they don't think he stands a holy ghost of a chance of winning. That protestant/catholic thing might have been the deal breaker. After all, they consider the catholic church a cult, do they not? :shrug:

[Red Zelda]

44. Hey ... I'm curious ...

what are "those" kinds of cars??

[tekisui]

11. I'll campaign for Rudy911 if it creates a Cuckoo Party!

[dickbearton]

15. Exactly, K&R.

[bluestateguy]

14. I'll be happy to sign any petition to put their candidate on the ballot

I recently told a friend of mine who is a Christian conservative to "vote your conscience next year. If you can't vote for Rudy Giuliani, then you shouldn't feel forced to do so by the Republican Party." :evilgrin:

[sarcasmo]

16. I hope they do this and split the Republican party.

[Myrina]

17. I volunteer to help them get organized!

Way to splinter the GOP and pretty much assure our side a victory, pious assclowns!

Thank you!! :applause:

[YOY]

18. If they did something like this it might push the regular Thugs left back to what they should be

and us back to where we should be.

[donco]

19. It looks like Newt’s is available now. eom

[Mz Pip]

20. Keyes/Bauer

That's the ticket! :bounce: Go for it!

The batshit insane one and the clumsy pancake flipping fundy. The perfect ticket for the logic and reason challenged nutcases.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[CurtEastPoint]

24. 'Pray' tell (so to speak) how are they BOTH not b/s insane...

I guess I didn't get the pancake message.

[Mz Pip]

72. Remember in 2000

when Bauer fell off the stage flipping pancakes at some candidate event? Classic.

And, yeah, I guess they both are batshit insane.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[maximusveritas]

21. Not surprised

They've got some really poor candidates. I'm still surprised they never gravitated toward Huckabee. He would seem to be an ideal choice for them.

[bobthedrummer]

22. Council for National Policy/CNP page from Source Watch

a 501 (c) 3 super secret organization, what a paradox, and what a bunch of "policy" makers for this criminal administration-founded by Tim LaHaye in 1981.

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Council_for_National_Policy

IMPEACH CHENEY FIRST

[CurtEastPoint]

25. Did you see Stewart skewer Huckabee pandering to the NRA?

It was something like this:

The mouth foam-lathered crowd he was speaking to must have eaten up 'duck hunting in heaven' and 'angel-guided bullets.'

Stupid fuckwad (Huckabee, that is)

[Hardrada]

27. Then we can win with Kucinich

and not go with the sure-fire DLC Clinton/Vilsack ticket!

[Gman]

29. We could win with Jello Biafra

or is it Biafra Jello?

[Webster Green]

35. I would vote for him..

He is brilliant!

[Gman]

28. Oh Goody!

It's easy to see where the more moderate and somewhat sane Republicans that have seen their party taken over by the religious nuts would gladly write off 08, even vote for the Democrat and then tell the religious nuts to be sure the door doesn't hit 'em in the ass on the way out.

Only problem would be keeping them out.

[CBHagman]

31. Split that vote!

If the GOP vote is split, all we have to do is keep the Democrats and their natural allies together...and we are spared any of the appalling choices on the Republican side of the ballot.

[Control-Z]

32. Excellent!!!

Most excellent!!! It's about time these loons did some good with their votes.

[AnnieBW]

33. Maybe they'll call it the "Party of God"

Or, better known in Arabic as "Hizbollah". :D

[NewJeffCT]

34. Where we can help to fund this 3rd party?

After all, Republics funded the greens... at least we can return the favor.

[TheCowsCameHome]

37. Let me know - I'll donate.

WooHoo!

[TheCowsCameHome]

36. Right on! The Christian Right is revolting. In more ways than one.

[tblue37]

38. They *should* run a candidate. Sam Brownback might suit the bill

perfectly. God wants them to run a third-party candidate.

[pinto]

40. I sense the fading gasp of wedge politics. And that's a *good* thing.

The hijack of the (R) party by an extremist, yet committed minority, has run it's course, imho.

And that's a *good* thing, as well. We Democrats hold the high ground on the issues.

Divisive, wedge politics was parlayed by right wing ideologues during the last few electoral cycles. To see them consider leaving their own party for a place on the side lines speaks volumes.

I welcome a real challenge from the Republican party based on the issues.

Absent straw men arguments, the electorate supports a Democratic agenda.

[Jax]

82. As long as the Dems remember

sharp, sweet khephra said it best on these forums and he was spot on: "the further the Democratic Party moves to the right it allows an already far right republican party to move even further to the right without seeming extreme".

He nailed it. PERIOD pinto...hopefully this new neo con party will take the right wing phony b*sh dems with them.

[Nickster]

41. I hearby nominate Judge Roy Moore

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Moore

[greiner3]

42. Please, please, please, please, please, etc...

I almost fell out of my chair when I read the OP. That would almost top bush getting a lobotomy, or cheney doing volunteer work!

[Maestro]

43. Do it please!

You unthinking, self-righteous, bastards! Do it! Do it! Do it!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

45. is there anyway we can encourage this?

[whistle]

46. That works for me, they can get John Ashcroft to run on the ticket also

[paizelle]

74. Sure. It'd make sense to have three.

Perpetuate that whole "trinity" thing, right?

[knight_of_the_star]

47. We HAVE to get Giuliani the nom!!!

I could care less if he's a scary SOB, if it means destroying the Religious Reich and handing us a free win then so be it!

[Counciltucky]

48. One need only go back 40 years in history.

A similar situation happened in the Democratic Party back then, with the "social conservatives" (a.k.a. bigots) splitting away, resulting in a strengthened Republican Party. Let's hope history repeats itself with the GOP split resulting in an even more strengthened Democratic Party.

I wouldn't be too surprised if the wingnuts discover the hypocritically named Constitution Party and go from there.

[pnorman]

49. Here's what the inner circle of the Reptilican Part think of those theocrats:

"The wackos get their information through the Christian right, Christian radio, mail, the internet and telephone trees ... Simply put, we want to bring out the wackos to vote against something and make sure the rest of the public lets the whole thing slip past them.": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Scanlon

pnorman

[blondeatlast]

50. PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE, God! Let us pray they do!

:bounce::rofl:

[ClintonTyree]

51. The christian conservatives are revolting!

You can say that again! ta-ta-ching! :rofl: I'll be here all night at the beautiful DU Lounge. Please tip the piano player. ;)

[Stump]

54. No tip for you...

See post #36. No play, for Mr. Grey. :9

[lovuian]

52. They still trust Republicans even though Bush promised them

the end of Roe vs Wade after 8 years they still never got it with Republicans in total control

they need to get a Brain

they LIE and look in the book at False Prophets

Abrahamhoff gang played them well

[Danger Mouse]

55. In that case: RUDY! RUDY! RUDY! RUDY!

:woohoo:

[rich1107]

56. And we say

prayers are not answered;)

[onehandle]

58. Nader! Nader! Nader!

Go for it, fundies. Third parties always work...

...for the opposition.

[Jim Lane]

61. I finally see something useful for the Naderites to do

They can register new screen names on RW sites and recycle all their old posts on DU and elsewhere.

Vote for the candidate who best expresses your positions on the issues....
Ignore the polls....
There's no real difference between the major parties on the issues that matter....
The Party has abandoned us....
They take us for granted....
They'll keep on taking us for granted if they know we're in their pocket....
If we cause the Party to lose, it's their fault, because a candidate we dislike got too many votes in their primaries....
This independent candidacy is for the Party's own good (or, on alternate days, will help in the necessary work of destroying the Party)....

And so forth.

A few simple cut-and-pastes (changing the occasional name for camouflage purposes) wouldn't take the Naderites much effort, and might do some good.

Of course, they'll face the obstacle of their own "success". Nader's effect on the 2000 election sent a sharp message that third-party efforts tend to push the government in the direction opposite to the third party's stated goals. Nader's own vote declined sharply in 2004, and I suspect the lesson will not be lost on Republicans tempted to reject Giuliani.

Unfortunately, this threat is probably just saber-rattling. Dobson and the others are ideologues but not idiots. If Giuliani is nominated, they'll grit their teeth and support him.

[fujiyama]

60. Time to start funding these loonies

Move On and other groups could be useful.

[WhiteTara]

62. I say PLEASE!!!

That is just what they need is their OWN party! THen we can know the creeps for who they are and it will finish the greedy ole pig party.

[Canuckistanian]

63. The Dixie-cans? The Talican Party?

Now we'll get to see EXACTLY how big their demographic is.

[fishwax]

64. it's been clear since the '06 election (even '04) that this schism was likely

the one slim silver lining of the 2004 election (as I posted at the time) was that it would be all but impossible for the GOP not to implode before the 2008 cycle. Their winning coalition of fundy social conservatives and free market libertarians was held together by toothpaste and wet toilet paper. It was bound to fall apart.

[displacedtexan]

65. I nominate... Pat Buchanan!

And here's why.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

66. I'll make a campaign contribution

Swear to god I will. We need to encourage their efforts.

[displacedtexan]

67. Me too.

Maybe we should start a "Draft Pat" grassroots campaign!

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

69. Pat Buchanan: Right(wing) For America!

nt

[Felix Mala]

68. Now if they can just find someone who doesn't hire hookers or practice pedaphilia...

That's why the search is taking so long...

[Lefty-Taylor]

71. Well, if you're going to hold them to such restrictive criteria it'll never happen ...

I mean, Sheesh! You've just eliminated their recruitment pool. Now, don't even think about adding in the firebreathing "anti-gay" conspicuously religious closet cases...

;)

[jzodda]

70. AWESOME NEWS!

[DuaneBidoux]

81. I'm not so sure.

As I said above, Republican presidential candidates have never needed to be far right to get elected President and in fact I believe it is a handicap. They have needed to be far right to get the party nomination.

A truly moderate republican might pull in enough independents to elect a moderate republican in spite of being abandoned by the fundamentalists.

[jzodda]

85. A split in their coalition though is good news

For a number of reasons, first of which would be brining back some sanity to a party that has become taken over by the luny right wing. A split by the evangelicals, if it remains longterm, is a good thing for America because the party would drift leftward by default in that event.

That may not be good for a general election on our side, but its good for America long-term. Its not healthy to have a major party in a two party system being dominated by crazy religious zealots.

[DuaneBidoux]

88. I DO agree with one thing for sure: it is better for America long term.

Anyone elected from any party who is at least in the middle is going to be better for the country than a right wing nutjob again elected president.

[yardwork]

73. Keep chasing your tails, Republicans.

[booley]

76. Don't the Theo-Cons make these noises every election cycle?

In fact , they already have a third party, the Constitution Party .

When it's name is that orwellian, you know it's run by cons.

And lets be honest... Liberals also make these noises. We even act on them occasionally.

However, I simply dont' see the theo-cons leaving the GOP en masse. Thir leaders may not understand jesus' teachings bu they know about power. and if they went third party, they woudl lose power. As for the average theo-con voter..well they've played deaf dumb and blind this long. Why stop now?

Sounds more like a bluff to get the GOP canidates to pander to them more.

[Rambis]

77. Que * speech on "hollywood values" (nm)

x

[KamaAina]

78. They're meeting in Salt Lake City?

Are they trying to convert some Mormons while they're there?

No, seriously, a few years ago the Southern Baptists scheduled their convention in Salt Lake City just so the delegates could go out on the streets and try to convert Mormons. Really.

[superconnected]

79. Yes, divide the gop, divide it!

I love this news!

[demo dutch]

83. Just a bun ch a hot air threats

[Megahurtz]

84. "WAAA WAAA!"

"We're not getting our way!" ;( :nopity:



Thank God they're not getting their way!

[Carrieyazel]

86. Screw the seditious Council for National Policy----Detestable

But if these fanaticals want to do that, go right ahead, imbeciles.

[Vogon_Glory]

87. Religious Right: Bluffing With Three Threes, A Four, and a Two

As much as I dislike them and detest their political positions, I have gained a very grudging admiration for the Religious Right's success at buffaloing the Republican Party leadership. Not only has successfully wooing the Religious Right vote become a necessity for Republican Party politicos on the make, especially here in Texas and other areas where Southern cultural values play well, but the RR poo-bahs have convinced Republican Party chieftains that Religious Right support is essential for Republican Party victories in general elections as well.

Look at how well the Religious Right pooh-bahs are guarding their bluff this coming election. They probably know that the Republican Party is going to take a savage beating in the 2008 elections, so they're preserving the illusion of the Religious Right's voters' strength of numbers by laying down an impossible-to-meet ultimatum to the Republican Party's leadership--either force your most popular candidate to stand aside, or we'll stay on the sidelines and cause your party to lose in the 2008 elections (If Mittzie Romney gets the lead for the GOP nomination, the Religious Right pooh-bahs will probably run the same bluff again, since Romney is a Mormon and isn't considered a "real" Christian by the Fundamentalist Evangelicals who comprise the bulk of the Religious Right). When the GOPster candidate goes down to defeat in the 2008 elections, the Religious Right pooh-bahs will return to the Republican Party chieftains and say "See, you lost because you didn't have OUR Religious voters working for you! Now here are our demands...," and the Republican Party chieftains will be left with the choice of meeting those demands or calling the Religious Right's leadership's bluff that their voters won't outnumber the organized and motivated Democratic/progressive voters and the angry independents voting for non-Republican candidates in 2010, 2012, and 2014.