"They Backed Bush -- And Expect Him To Deliver!" (Evangelicals)

[Bluebear]

Business Week, May 23, 2005

Evangelicals' influence in American political life has become increasingly visible in recent years. Now the battle over President George W. Bush's judicial appointments threatens to kick up a firestorm over the intrusion of religion into politics. But to many evangelicals, the campaign isn't controversial at all -- it's just one step in a long-range plan to leverage their growing numbers and political clout.

In fact, many of the evangelical activists who form the bedrock of the Religious Right are frustrated that their electoral successes haven't translated into greater gains. After all, their effort to get Christian voters to the polls played a key role in both of Bush's elections, as well as the GOP's control of both houses of Congress. Yet they can claim only a few victories, such as the 2003 ban on so-called partial-birth abortions -- and even that has been overturned by the courts.

That's one reason the activists are putting on a full-court press to get the Senate GOP to outlaw Democratic filibusters of the President's judicial nominees. Indeed, as Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) mulled his strategy over the week of May 9, the offices of 22 senators were deluged with calls on the issue that were prompted by Christian groups such as Focus on the Family's CitizenLink Action Center. The phone barrage followed an Apr. 24 telecast on the judges issue from a Kentucky megachurch, which Frist addressed via videotape. While the battle is ostensibly over the 10 judges Senate Democrats have rejected, the bigger goal is to give the GOP sufficient power to put a religious conservative on the U.S. Supreme Court should a vacancy occur soon...

So far, Bush has managed to keep his core evangelical base content even without major victories. But as they push for more, the President and the GOP could run into trouble, particularly among swing voters. True, a majority of Americans agree with the Religious Right on some cultural issues, such as returning prayer to public schools and keeping the term "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance. But they don't necessarily approve of direct religious involvement in politics.

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_21/b3934008_mz001.htm

[Sparkly]

1. But, if they ever completely "succeeded..."

that is, if they ever overturned Roe v. Wade or amended the Constitution on the definition of marriage, what would they be able to use to wield divisive hatred and fear, the cornerstone of their political success? That's the only hope I see there -- that they'll keep some things off limits in order to hold them up, firing the flames of hatred.

Having said that, I have no doubt they intend to pack the courts with people who look like theocrats, and judge like corporatists. In the name of "Christian values," they are intent on setting the country backward on civil rights, women's rights, workers' rights, education funding, urban investment, energy, the environment, Social Security, healthcare, fair taxation, fiscal balance, etc...

I often think the "religious" platform is merely a lever for raising up a different agenda: one that's all about polarizing the classes, creating an elite uber-class ruling a population of dependent serfs, basically. Look at how they sold the tax-cut agenda in 2000: "Did you ever get a job from a POOR person? Ergo, we need to make sure the wealthy stay wealthy!"

It's just unbelievable how gullible people are and how vulnerable to the propaganda, on BOTH terrains -- religion and corporatism.

[Stinky The Clown]

3. I'll tell ya who they'll use as punching bags for their spew

Us. You and me. Cuz we're caring and decent and love each other. And we love others. Care about others besides our selves.

So, yeah.

You and me.

And him.

And her.

And them.

Thinkers.
Artists.
Teachers.
Caring cops.
Fearful factory workers
Clear headed clergy
Doting doctors
Nice nurses

Yup. Lots and lots of targets of opportunity for them in their war on modernity.

[paparush]

2. Let's See....

1. Nukular Option gets passed, removing the Senate rule allowing Filibuster of Judicial Nominees.

2. Rehnquist retires 48 hours later citing poor health.

3. Right wing, Cuckoo Bannanas, Jesus Junky appointed and confirmed to the High Court.

4. Stevens, Souter, Ginsberg, and/or Breyer retires in disgust over #3.

5. Repeat #3.

Adios America. Hola Christerica.

[karlrschneider]

5. You have officially scared the shit outta me.

:eyes:

[paparush]

9. Me too...

The Nukular Option removes the right to filibuster ANY Judicial Nominee. Nobody is talking about THAT!

[Bluebear]

14. That's exactly their plan. This is not about "Priscilla Owen"

She is merely the tool.

[Turn CO Blue]

4. Did you see that total crapfest on C-SPAN today?

with Family and Action, some anti-filibuster religious nuts? Ugh. It re-aired tonight. I thought my head would explode. I can't believe I kept watching it, but I was thinking "know thy enemy".

[Sparkly]

6. Somehow, everytime I turn to CSpan lately

it's some Republican group, or Republican media ho, or Republican author, or Republican Senator, or other Republican pontificating. Maybe it's just my timing.

[Turn CO Blue]

8. You're being generous. C-SPAN doesn't give "equal" time.

[Bluebear]

20. It has become just another dittohead outlet. nt

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

19. See this thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1796630&mesg_id=1796630&page=

[WI Independent]

7. I'm hoping they will be disappointed...

IMO, Bush used them to get elected. The Supreme Court appointment will likely be more along the lines of a pro-business conservative than a fundamentalist religion right-winger.

Not the ideal scenario for sure... but it sure beats another step toward theocracy.

[spindoctor]

10. The Republicans CANNOT win without the fundamentalist's votes

Although a relatively small minority (9% of the population), they make up nearly 25% of the Republican base.

They are a powerhouse inside the rightwing coalition and they do not come for free.

That's why even moderate Republicans put up with these people.

[Sparkly]

11. That's what I'm saying, too.

They are a lever for the rightwing to lift up its primary platform: corporatism, polarization of two "classes," and greed, greed, greed.

[spindoctor]

15. It is a fact. The numbers don't lie

I did some analysis on a recent post-election Pew study.

The results are http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=1794078&mesg_id=1794078 "> here.

There are 15,437,322 people who consider themselves Republicans that can be categorized as "Christian Right".

That is 25% of the total numbers of secure red votes.

I think we all knew this instinctively, but it is more than a notion, it is a cold hard fact.

[FreedomAngel82]

12. What I think

is the republican politicans don't take them seriously and they'll do something here and there to keep their base happy like with Terri Schavio and the anti-abortion rally where Bush called in and the anti-stem cell research. I'm sure Bush and the others could give a damn about that. It's all just lip service. Like with Frist and his "Justice Sunday" nonsense. It's all a spritiual abuse type of thing.

[seabeyond]

13. After all, their effort to get Christian voters to the polls

after all they sold their soul to the devil, walking away from their teaching and their responsibility to their sheep

returning prayer to school when was prayer ever in school. i never had prayer in school

[TheGunslinger]

16. They got "Punk'd" and now they're "Piss'd"!

[Bluebear]

17. Welcome to DU slinger!

[TheGunslinger]

18. Thanks!