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The Texas Blue
Advancing Progressive Ideas

Christian Conservatives: The GOP’s Double-Edged Sword

The GOP faces the possibility of having to forfeit one of their most viable presidential candidates for fear of losing 40% of their base. Christian Conservatives Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, James Dobson of Focus on the Family, Louis Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition, Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention, and Gary Bauer are all voicing opposition to a Giuliani nomination. If Giuliani is nominated, Land and Perkins threatened they would not vote for a Republican ticket in 2008. The others don’t go as far but clearly point out that Giuliani’s pro–choice position is untenable for leading the pro–life party in 2008.

Republicans are severely handicapped without the full organized support of Christian Conservatives. Christian Conservatives are critically important for executing their grassroots GOTV efforts. A Giuliani nomination could derail their grassroots program and cripple the vaunted "72-hour plan." At the same time, Giuliani is perhaps their best choice for picking up independents in the general election, especially against the current Democratic candidate field where he would represent a less strident difference on most social issues than his GOP competition. If Giuliani wins the nomination, it appears that Republicans may fall victim to their own crusaders' swords.

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