Posted on 10/30/2004 12:25:07 AM PDT by Kurt Evans
Evangelical vs. Catholic mirrors presidential race
A Republican evangelical is highlighting his push to ban gay marriage in the U.S. Constitution in his neck-and-neck race against a Catholic Democrat and former altar boy who has had trouble with bishops due to his position on abortion.
Does that sound like the 2004 presidential race? It's also South Dakota's U.S. Senate race. Republican John Thune has put the hot-button cultural issues of gay marriage and abortion in the forefront of his campaign to unseat Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D.
The noticeable role religion is playing in the Daschle-Thune race is part of a trend being driven by the President Bush's campaign's intense courting of the religious right, according to experts in politics and religion.
The Bush campaign has "marketed the president as a deeply pious person," Shaun Casey, assistant professor of Christian ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C., said. "They have done unprecedented outreach to religious groups. That accounts for both why other Republicans are doing that and why Democrats are having to do that."
University of South Dakota political-science professor William Richardson said the Bush campaign's strategy has trickled down to South Dakota's Senate race.
"Thune is tapping right into that with his emphasis on social issues," Richardson said. "It is clearly happening in South Dakota, and it is remarkable because of its visibility."
(Excerpt) Read more at rapidcityjournal.com ...
I want Daschle out of the Senate, I want him out of the Chief Obstructor's chair
Have you watch Thune's TV ad, "Vote for our dad", which features his daughters? It's very funny and family-oriented ad... I'm wondering if the Bush twins can make similar ad... All Thune's ads are first class, IMO.
http://www.johnthune.com
>BTW Kurt, you related to the singing Evans'?
Yes, Dustin is my brother, and Kyle was my dad.
http://dustinevans.com/
http://kyleevansonline.com/
>Have you watch Thune's TV ad, "Vote for our dad",
>which features his daughters? It's very funny and
>family-oriented ad...
Yes, I've seen it. I'm not sure I'm part of the
demographic it targets, but it's well done.
>I'm wondering if the Bush twins can make similar
>ad... All Thune's ads are first class, IMO.
Thune's run an exceptional campaign.
Thune is being consistent with his stated convictions, Daschle is not. Win for Thune.
And, my parents and all their friends were huge followers of your father, going to see him in such glamorous places as Dallas, SD. He's a legend.
Seeing the name, and associated Wessington Springs, I thought you probably were related. Good to have you aboard FR.
>I've been to many shows by Dustin's band. I never
>miss them when they show up at Bucks here in SF,
>and at some rodeos. They are awesome.
Dustin's coming back from Nashville to play
at Borrowed Bucks next Friday and Saturday:
http://www.dustinevans.com/calendar.asp
>And, my parents and all their friends were huge
>followers of your father, going to see him in such
>glamorous places as Dallas, SD. He's a legend.
Thanks for honoring his memory. :-)
>Seeing the name, and associated Wessington Springs,
>I thought you probably were related. Good to have
>you aboard FR.
Good to be here.
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