Evangelical Voters More Jaded in 2006By ROSE FRENCH
NASHVILLE, Tenn. Sep 22, 2006 (AP)— Christian conservatives, traditionally
a reliable Republican constituency, aren't necessarily a GOP gimme this
time around. There is an undercurrent of concern that some evangelicals,
unhappy that the GOP-led Congress and President Bush haven't paid more
attention to gay marriage and other "values" issues, may stay home on
Election Day or even vote Democratic.
"Conservative Christians are somewhat disenchanted with Republicans," said
Kenyn Cureton, vice president for convention relations with the executive
committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's largest Protestant
denomination with nearly 16 million members.
-snip-"It has not escaped our notice that they waited until just a few months from
the November elections to address our agenda," Cureton said.
-snip-Voters like Gregory were once considered the president's strongest supporters.
Exit polls showed 78 percent of white evangelicals voted for him in 2004. But an
Associated Press-Ipsos poll conducted Sept. 11-13 indicated 42 percent of white
evangelicals disapprove of the job Bush has done as president.
-snip-