Conservatives would bolt GOP over Rudy
Can Rudy win the GOP nomination with leaders of the social conservative movement working against him? Can you be a pro-choice Republican?
Politico-A growing number of influential social conservatives are speaking out against Rudy Giuliani, with some threatening that they will take flight from the Republican Party in 2008 if the former New York mayor is the GOP nominee.
Giuliani’s support for abortion rights and gay rights has not to date prevented him from winning the support of a sizable number of socially conservative voters, according to polls. But the continued strength of his candidacy is causing alarm among leaders of conservative advocacy groups, many of which have been major players in Republican politics.
“Speaking as a private citizen, no, no, I could not support (Giuliani),” said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, which has about a half-million members. “The 20 years I’ve been involved in politics, the life issue has been at the very top. How could I turn my back on that?”
Perkins said that should Giuliani win the nomination, he would vote for a third-party candidate who reflected his values. “It wouldn’t be the first time,” Perkins added in an interview last week.
Other prominent cultural conservatives to signal public opposition to Giuliani in recent weeks included James Dobson of Focus on the Family, Louis Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition, veteran activist and former presidential candidate Gary Bauer, and Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention.
I read a statement by Land that said he would vote for Hillary before he would vote for Rudy.
Perkins, Dobson, Bauer, et al should bolt…they are the reason the GOP is suffering right now.
One issue special interest groups hurt both parties. Especially those like anti-abortion on the right and tree huggers on the left. Both sides have fringe elements that do not reflect the overall will of either party and do irreparable harm to the goal of electing their respective party’s candidates.
I agree Bart.
Also, the original system of government we had, left those issues in the hands of the States. However, how do you send them back to the states and get them out of the Federal arena when the Courts and Congress have, moved them to the Federal government.
I don’t know about Perkins, but Dobson and Bauer are phonies – they are Neo-Cons – dual loyalties to the U.S. and Israel. But I certainly support someone who has morals! Guiliani is also a phoney – his image is manufactured by the elites to see if the sleeping Americans will bite.
ps. Jan Paul, I did respond back to you on that Anchor Baby thread. Hope you saw it.
Saw it, thanks Hugh.
For the reason so many Christians support Israel is due to the belief of many that Israel’s survival is part of prophecy and that any nation that doesn’t support its existence risks God removing his blessings from that nation.
The Christians who founded this nation against what many thought were impossible odds, believed that it was “God’s will” they won and were blessed with a nation that led to the world leadership role it had, but may be losing.
They believe that our loss of standing, fear, respect, economic prosperity, etc. isn’t the “wrath of God,” as much as just not blessing a nation they believe has turned its back on God.
Whether there beliefs have merit or not, we are a nation where “faith,” even faith their is no god, places a role in people’s votes, and calls for policy both foreign and domestic.
That could be why we created a secular federal government with states that could have religious based holiday, laws, customs and traditions that differed from state to state giving us the freedom to choose the society that fit our own beliefs the closest.
Jan Paul back to the questionable polls they all have Giuliani in the lead. Whats up with that if people dont trust him why is he leading? I know its early and alot can change.
Mike
I’m not a pro lifer but at this point I’m starting to like this particular litmus test!!!
Bill Im not either. My issue with abortion as a fix all is that individuals need to be held responsible for their actions.With whole sections of stores devoted to birth control and some of these open 24 hrs theres no excuse for abortion on demand.
What state(s) were the polls conducted in and what part of the states (cities, rural, cross section of rural and urban)
That said, if the polls are for what all voters would do, many view Giuliani as a “hero” because of 9-11 or at least recognize him because of the widespread coverage he got.
However, on the primaries where only GOP voters can vote, it may be different. N.H. allows independents to vote in the GOP primary.
At this point, it may be simply that more people are familiar with Giuliani.
But, that can be said of Fred Thompson who is also a “star” and very familiar to millions and look at his rating in the polls and he isn’t even running yet.
Millions of voters don’t bother with issues but with “image.” “No image” is almost as bad as a “bad image” like McCain has. Outside of New England, many state’s voters don’t even know who the other candidates, like Romney are because they aren’t normally on TV like Giuliani was and still often is as almost a regular on some TV news talk shows where they refer to him in almost “heroic” terms.
I would personally love to see a debate on foreign policy between Ron Paul and MAYOR Giuliani. (PSSST. he’s just a Mayor, people)
Can Rudy win the GOP nomination with leaders of the social conservative movement working against him? Can you be a pro-choice Republican?
Let me just say one thing….
HELL NO!