The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Evangelical Turnout

10.12.07 @ 12:01AM

(Page 2 of 6)

And don't whimper to me about the foolishness of one willing to sacrifice an election for the sake of principle. If I were worried about that sort of thing, I wouldn't have volunteered for a second twelve-month-long tour of fighting in Vietnam, instead of dodging the draft, as did both Giuliani and Romney. Or hiding out in a Nat'l Guard unit of a type nearly certain not to be sent to the war zone, as did Geo. W.
-- Dave Livingston
Life member, MOPH (Military Order of the Purple Heart)
Colorado Springs, Colorado ('bout 10 miles from Dobson's Focus on the Family facility)

Obviously, there are those on the 'right' that incorrectly assume that 'religious right' voters all follow James Dobson as if we were a bunch of sheep. Republican leadership is sadly mistaken if they believe that 'religious right voters can be pigeon holed into any one group. Democrats have made the mistake for years with black voters thinking that all blacks follow Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton's lead. I consider myself a 'religious right' voter and at this moment in time I would support Rudy as the GOP candidate. I know many conservative religious right voters that feel the same way. Rudy only needs to come around on the immigration question and take a concrete stand against amnesty in any form or fashion and he will win the GOP nomination hands down. As a conservative Christian I disagree with Rudy's views on homosexuals and abortion, but over all a liberal point of view in these two areas is not nearly as dangerous as a more lenient view on immigration, tax increases, spending, and increasing the government's involvement in the economy. As for James Dobson, I know no one that seeks his counsel in how to cast their vote.

It is far more dangerous to America and particularly Christians to have a democrat president and a democrat congress than it is to have a three time married man that is pro-choice and pro-gay marriage, but is solid in his execution of conservative principles in other areas.
-- Lee Schafer
New Caney Texas

Don't we always stay behind. Isn't that what the Moral Majority did after they were dissatisfied with the Reagan administration they helped elect? Isn't that what the Christian Coalition did after they were dissatisfied with the Republican Congress they helped put into place? Isn't that what we all have done with Bush and Republicans in general?

The Dems know that we demand our way or the highway. They run smear campaigns with the sole intention of turning us away from the poles. And they definitely use government to persecute any right-winger who uses churches the way they do.

I am a Mormon who has just realized that I am not really welcome amongst other religious conservatives. Too many just won't even consider the Mormon candidate. It is one thing to look at him, like I have, and be afraid that he really isn't conservative. But refusing to look at him?

But, as I hear him give stump speeches that take the form of fireside chats, hold the religion, and run ads that use famous Mormon phrases like "This is the place!", I have realized that the main problem is that none of the candidates are talking in the right language. Romney may not realize what he is doing. There are definitely not enough Mormons to target a national campaign towards us. It is part of him. Likewise Bush used language that was part of him, not calculated code words to send messages like the left does.

There is nobody out there who really is one of the main group. Neither are there friends and cohorts from the group at their side, pitching their cause. (The case with Reagan.)

I for one, though, will not stay home. I do not want to be to blame for another 8 scandal filled socialist leaning years of Clinton. That means even voting for someone you know isn't socially conservative, (RUDY), or someone who has 8 years ago tried to get elected by attacking social conservatives, (JOHN), or whoever else I don't fully trust.

When faced with the choice of the lesser of two evils, if we won't stand strong against the worst evil, then we will be to blame.
-- James Bailey

Regarding religious conservatives being left behind, it is apparent that many within the Republican establishment still don't get it. I am an evangelical (Reformed) Christian that is not particularly fond of Dr. Dobson's political activities, nor any of the "great" religious right political organizations. Christianity is not a special interest group of the Republican, Democrat, nor any political party for that matter. True evangelical Christians participates in the political process (voting, running for office, etc.) under a simple and profound ideal: Do whatever it takes, within the guidance of Scripture, and the just laws provided by the state, to further God's Kingdom through Jesus Christ. Christianity is not about saving our culture through the political process; it is about living out the cultural mandate given us by God through His Son and the Apostles as found in the Bible. When evangelicals become entrenched as just another "wing of" or special interest group within any political party, it has already marginalized itself.

I, for one, will not vote for a Republican presidential candidate that does not fully embrace the concept that all people are created in the Imago Dei, and, for whatever reason, seems to think that anyone has the "right" to kill a fellow human in the womb, because of some ideal called "choice." Personal preferences do not trump what is universally right -- the preservation and nurturing of life at all stages of development.

But one would argue that evangelicals voting for a pro-life, third-party candidate would divide the conservative vote and lead to a third Clinton term in the White House, and all of the pitfalls and doom that would ensue? That possibility (or eventuality) is much more preferential to the evangelical Christian than to cast a vote for a Republican that would bring about the same ends.

I pray that God through the use of His secondary means (our actions including involvement in the political process), will raise up a Godly man or woman to lead this nation; one that will, through the power delegated to the office, appoint judges interested in preserving life, providing for justice, and is respectful to our God. But if the "choice" comes down to two candidates that are separated only by their differing economic or national security philosophies and that ignore what is clearly true and beautiful and right, then sitting the election out is my only option. With that in mind, I welcome being marginalized, and will redouble my prayers and actions that God has called me to do, in His Wisdom and for His Glory, to be salt and light in an increasingly post-Christian culture.
-- Morgan P. Yarbrough

Your article states there are only two religious conservative GOP people on the ticket. You are not correct. You have completely forgotten Mitt Romney.

Letter to the Editor

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