According to an article in today's New York Times, there are now signs that Christian conservatives may "withhold their support in the midterm elections unless Congress does more to oppose same-sex marriage, obscenity and abortion." According to Richard Viguerie, known as "the direct mail titan of the right":
There is a growing feeling among conservatives that the only way to cure the problem is for Republicans to lose the Congressional elections this fall. I can't tell you how much anger there is at the Republican leadership. I have never seen anything like it.
Meanwhile, Dr. James C. Dobson, founder of the powerful, Christian conservative group "Focus on the Family," is "publicly accus[ing] Republican leaders of betraying the social conservatives who helped elect them in 2004." Even worse for Republicans, Dobson is warning "that he may turn critic this fall unless the party delivers on conservative goals."
Obviously, this is not good news for Republicans heading into November. So, what can they do about the situation? Unfortunately for them, not much in all likelihood. According to the New York Times article:
No one expects the same-sex marriage amendment to pass this year. Republican leaders have not scheduled votes on a measure to outlaw transporting minors across state lines for abortions, and the proposal faces long odds in the Senate. A measure to increase obscenity fines for broadcasters is opposed by media industry trade groups, pitting Christian conservatives against the business wing of the party, and Congressional leaders have not committed to bring it to a vote.And then there's immigration, which badly splits the pro-business and social conservative wings of the Republican Party, the huge budget deficit, and the out-of-control growth in federal spending under Republican rule.
What does that leave? Not much, except very possibly a conservative voting public that stays home on November 7 - and huge losses for Republican lawmakers.
Comments
Sign of the times? (rjl - 5/15/2006 9:56:16 AM)Saw it myself: Last Thursday in the Rayburn room off the House floor, huddled in intense discussion -- James Dobson and Katherine Harris.Draw your own conclusions. Write your own caption.
GOP's Unholy alliance (Craig - 5/15/2006 10:30:03 AM)The unholy alliance of big business and fundies has at last learned that they really have nothing in common except for not liking Democrats.