October 04, 2007

Ol' Fred: "I'm Not Going To Dance To Anyone's Tune"

There's been a lot of hoo-hah this past week or so about the rumblings of certain Evangelical leaders and their disdain for a number of the GOP candidates. The rumored "Rudy revolt" where organizations like Focus On The Family would seek a third party candidate if Giuliani gets the nomination made headlines as well as FOTF's head, James Dobson's criticism of Fred Thompson.

Ol' Fred's response? Don't read too much into it. On Hannity & Colmes last night:

A gentleman who has never met me, who has never talked to me, I've never talked to him on the phone. I did have one of his aides call me up and kind of apologize, the first time he attacked me and said I wasn't a Christian…

I don't know the gentleman. I do know that I have a lot of people who are of strong faith and are involved in the same organizations that he is in, that I've met with, Jeri and I both have met with, and I like to think that we have some strong friendships and support there…

When asked if he'd like to talk to Dobson, Thompson was clear that it didn't matter to him: "I have no idea. I don't particularly care to have a conversation with him. If he wants to call up and apologize again, that's ok with me. But I'm not going to dance to anybody's tune." [emphasis mine].

Now this is one of two GOP candidates putting themselves out there as the conservative choice for Republicans. I wonder if his campaign's internal polling (as well as Giuliani's) is giving them a picture of the Christian Conservative voting bloc that is more pragmatic and less judgemental than Dobson and other self-proclaimed leaders of that community. All Presidential candidates have to weigh what they say and adjust their strategy based on the reality of their polling. If Dobson's position was reflected by a majority of that demographic, I would think that Thompson would be a bit more conciliatory in reaching out to him.

But his comments above almost represent a dismissal of Dobson's influence.

Patrick Hynes (a McCain man) of Ankle-Biting Pundits sees one of three scenarios with Giuliani:

First, Rudy Giuliani will not win the Republican nomination and the point will be moot.

Second, Rudy Giuliani will win the Republican nomination, but lose in the General Election because evangelical Christians, the most powerful voting bloc in American politics, will adhere to the principles of its leaders and support a third-party candidate.

Or third, Rudy Giuliani will win the Republican nomination and the General Election because evangelical Christians ignore the advice of its leaders and support Giuliani despite his pro-choice position.

Each of these has significant consequences for the future of the Republican Party, which we could debate about until the cows come home.

It begs the question as to whether or not Christian Conservative leaders are still looking at elections with a pre-9/11 perspective. They were instrumental in getting George W. Bush elected in 2000. But the world of 2000 is very different than the world of 2007.

And scenarios one and two are certainly possible. But between the dangers we face from terrorism and the prospect of "she who must not be named" sitting in the White House, I seriously wonder if the voters don't have a more realistic perspective when they head to the voting booths.

And thus far, I don't see any of the top tier GOP candidates "dancing" to Dobson's tune. And if the third scenario were to prevail, he might just find that after next November there's no place at the table for him.

Posted by Gary at October 4, 2007 09:31 AM | TrackBack
Comments

I'm a conservative Christian and I plan to vote for the republican candidate, whomever he is, because I don't want any of the Democrat candidates to be the next president. Period.

That may mean that I have to hold my nose a wee bit when pushing the buttons in the voting booth, but the lesser of two evils and all that.

Consider me a pragmatic evangelical Christian conservative voter. I hope most others of us will be more pragmatic voters as well.

Posted by: jen at October 4, 2007 08:50 AM

Hear, hear. I think this talk of a third party candidate is pure madness. If one is going to pick a single issue on which to vote, it's got to be national security.

Sign me up for the Anybody But Hillary coalition.

Posted by: Robbo the LB at October 4, 2007 08:54 AM

I don't consider myself a member of the "religious right" (though exactly what defines that is debatable) but I feel very strongly that Roe v. Wade is based on one of the most ridiculous reaches ever made by the Supreme Court.

You want to reverse Roe and return the issue to state legislatures, you appoint more Justices who understand the Constitution - Justices like Roberts, Alito, Scalia and Thomas. Giuliani (notwithstanding his personal feelings) pledges to appoint (the extent the Senate will allow him) Justices who enforce rather than change the principles of that document.

If SWMNBN is President, you'll get more Breyers, Ginsburgs and Souters. Where does that get you?

Beyond judiciary appointments and the veto power, Presidents have no real say on this issue anyway.

Posted by: Gary at October 4, 2007 09:03 AM

Incidentally, I'm all for Dobson and anyone who agrees with him making his case. This is a conversation that all Republicans - regardless of their position - need to have.

Now is the time to hash it out. Once the nominee is chosen, however, unity is absolutely necessary if you're going to keep this country safe and prevent the rise of the Shadow of Mordor.

Posted by: Gary at October 4, 2007 09:10 AM

I think that one has to look to the bigger picture. What will President Hillary Clinton's supreme court look like?

I would roll the dice with Giuliani because while he is, for conservatives, something of an unknown, the "known known" of Hillary certainly has to be avoided at all costs. One may dislike voting for Giuliani, but one has no choice but to oppose Hillary.

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