Republicans in dilemma over "Religious Right"

[steve2470]

http://elections.us.reuters.com/top/news/usnN09487233.html/?src=092906_MARKETING_CMS_ElecMidArt


By Ed Stoddard - Analysis

DALLAS (Reuters) - Thumped in Tuesday's elections, the Republican Party faces a dilemma as it prepares for 2008: trying to claw back support in the center while keeping loyal conservative Christians happy.

Religiously motivated social conservatives are an important base for base for President George W. Bush and the Republican Party, which lost control of both houses of Congress in the elections amid voter anger over corruption, intrusive government and the Iraq war.

The Republicans tread a fine line between adopting hard-line stances on issues that resonate with conservative Christians, such as opposing abortion, while pleasing moderates who like the party's pro-business policies but not its religious moralizing.

But politically active evangelicals -- dubbed the "Religious" or "Christian Right" -- and the Republican Party are caught in a bind as they rely too heavily on each other to split up.

<snip>

[Skidmore]

1. Man, I thought the "Party of Values" had certitude about

morality. Y'all mean they've been lyin' to me?

[Jackpine Radical]

10. They do.

They are certain that ostentatious displays of piety translate into votes, and that piety is a great surrogate for morality, in that it doesn't require you to actually give up any sins.

[tanyev]

2. The fundies are like Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction.

They looked very appealing to the GOP at first, but then watch out!

[phiddle]

3. That is, the "Religious Wrong"

[baldguy]

7. The "Religious Right" is neither.

[Renew Deal]

4. It's going to take the republicans 20-30 years to figure this out.

It's lose lose.

[BootinUp]

9. I wish I was that confident.

If we hold both houses and or win the Presidency in '08 then you may turn out to be right. The pro business people that voted for us this time are the Glenn Close to our party.

[Boomer]

5. Dear Republicans, Please keep your fundie base

This will insure your growing irrelevance in politics as mainstream America concentrates in the only other game in town: the Dems.

Eventually, with this game plan, the Republican Party will become the equivalent of a third party: no chance of winning, just a platform for shouting out their unpopular opinions.

[AlinPA]

6. Yes. And campaign on hate and intolerance and creationism and

mandatory Christian prayers in school and bible classes every day and eliminating science from the classroom.......

[seabeyond]

8. i dont allow the republican to divorce themselves as the "christian" party

they are the ones that for years have blatantly stated cause i vote dem i am going ot hell, not a christian and some other really appalling, disgusting, offensive comments. i dont ever let that go. ANYtiME they slip i say, but but but you are suppose to teach ME WHAT FAMILY/CHRISTIAN VALUE IS AND YOU FAIL. this is what has angered me the most about the repug party and i will not let this die

so yes,.... they have a problem with what they started. i would say to republicans why didn't you stand up for me when your party said democrats weren't christian.... i will not let that go easily let them deal with the horrible reaction to their reaction. does my heart good. i will NOT let them ever squirm on having the audacity of calling me not a christian cause of my vote.