Posted on 10/17/2007 9:32:17 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his rivals for the Republican nomination will face a tough crowd when they address the religious conservatives at the Values Voter Summit starting Friday.
“I think what we can expect is a lot of folks talking about how dissatisfied they are with the choices they have,” former Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) said.
Giuliani’s positions on abortion and gay rights continue to dog him as he looks for support within the leadership of the religious conservative movement, and those leaders say they want to hear more from the former mayor this weekend than what they’ve heard before.
Giuliani is slated to speak to the summit, sponsored by the Family Research Council and a spate of other influential socially conservative groups, on Saturday.
“He knows that he’s going into a tough audience,” Santorum told The Hill. “I can’t imagine he thinks he’s going to go in there and be their champion because that’s not who he is.”
At a press conference Wednesday morning, after he accepted the endorsement of Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R), Giuliani said he would explain to the group that their similarities outweigh their difference.
“Let me explain to you that we’re in this together,” Giuliani said he will say to the group. “We shouldn’t be surprised that there are some differences. There are always differences, but I ask you to look at the whole candidate.”
Giuliani said he understands that some voters view his position on abortion as a deal breaker, stating, “I respect that.” “I’m not going to get every vote,” Giuliani said.
Santorum, who is also addressing the summit, said “the best [Giuliani] can hope for” is to convince the religious conservatives he is not someone for them to be “overly concerned about.” Santorum has not endorsed a candidate in the race.
Scott Reed, a Republican strategist who was an adviser to former Sen. Robert Dole (R-Kan.), said Giuliani “has the most to lose because he’s so politically upside-down” with the religious conservatives.
Reed said Giuliani should heed the words of conservative leaders Tony Perkins and Gary Bauer, who said at a breakfast last week that it is not enough for Giuliani to simply say that he would appoint “strict constructionist” judges.
“I think he has to do more,” Reed said. “He has got to follow the advice of Perkins and Bauer, and have something to say. It’s really that simple. He has got to move the ball a little with conservative voters.”
A number of religious leaders have been scratching their heads as to how the former mayor continues to poll favorably with a plurality of church-going, Republican voters. And most think the bloom will fall off the rose once those voters become aware of Giuliani’s support of abortion rights and gay rights.
Giuliani’s aides are quick to note how the former mayor scored points with social conservatives nationwide for his efforts in expanding adoption services and cleaning up New York City.
Former Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.) also faces challenges after James Dobson, founder of Focus on the Family and the honoree of the event, recently questioned Thompson’s Christian credentials.
Thompson has enjoyed support from other evangelical leaders, and though analysts think he has to do more by way of specifics, they think he should have an easier time than others.
“Fred has received a great deal of support from important leaders like Gary Bauer and Richard Land,” Thompson spokeswoman Karen Hanretty said. “He looks forward to Friday’s speech and addressing an important constituency about his conservative record.”
Santorum, however, believes that Dobson’s comments and Thompson’s reluctance to embrace the evangelical community’s stance on marriage issues could hurt him with the crowd.
“His position on marriage is something of a concern,” Santorum said.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney continues to face questions about his Mormon faith, but evangelical leaders do not seem as concerned.
Analysts have long wondered if Romney would devote a speech to his faith like former President Kennedy did to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association about his Catholicism.
Romney aides said not to look for that speech when he addresses the summit, and Reed said that is a wise move.
“That’s not the place for that speech,” Reed said. “You embrace the issues, and you become acceptable.”
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has also had his problems with this constituency that was so important to electing President Bush twice.
Santorum said he didn’t “want to beat a dead horse,” but added that McCain has failed too many times to vote with conservative lawmakers on values-voter issues.
The candidates who face more opportunity than tests with this crowd are Sen. Sam Brownback (R-Kan.) and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who many analysts thought would be able to seize the mantle of the socially conservative candidate in the race.
“This is their show,” Santorum said. “At some point, either Brownback or Huckabee has to take advantage.”
“Gov. Huckabee had a sweeping victory last month at the Values Voter debate and poll,” a Huckabee campaign aide said. “His optimistic, forward-looking message is clearly resonating with values voters all over America. He certainly is looking forward to the opportunity to share his message and connect with voters this weekend.”
Reed thinks this could be the turning point for any of the Republican candidates.
“Now’s where the rubber meets the road,” Reed said. “The values event is really the starting gun for those conservative voters.”
And if he was a speeed bump, good!
Lets hope he throws Rooty Tooty off the road.
OK if he respects and understands this, I'm not sure why the RINOS and the single-issue-anti-Hillary-I'll-vote-for-Rudy crowd can't seem to comprehend this same thought?
“Santorum, however, believes that Dobson’s comments and Thompson’s reluctance to embrace the evangelical community’s stance on marriage issues could hurt him with the crowd.”
“His position on marriage is something of a concern,” Santorum said.
I believe it was Senator Santorum that coined the phrase Islamic Facists. He was warning about Osama and that crazy in Iran early on.
Senator Thompson should listen to what Senator Santorum has to say about the moral conservatives. It isn’t a matter of bowing the knee to James Dobson, it is about his stand on pushing for constitutional remedies (ammendment) to the homosexual situation. This is one area where an extreme allegance to “Federalism” hurts him.
I would like to see Senator Thompson do better and sow up the nomination. To do so he needs to swing a little more to the right on moral issues. He must secure the moral conservative base to stomp out Mayor Guiliani. Otherwise the moral conservatives will be split over several candidates in the primaries which could throw the nod to Guiliani. A Guiliani win will shatter the Republican party and guarantee a Clinton victory.
I hope Thompson and Dobson bury the hatchet.
Now I'm just plain ticked. Is Santorum a deaf and blind imbecile. How can he possibly miss the candidate who has all the makings of a great President - Duncan Hunter.
His Twelve Commitments:
I will keep America on offense in the Terrorists’ War on Us.
I will end illegal immigration, secure our borders, and identify every non-citizen in our nation.
I will restore fiscal discipline and cut wasteful Washington spending.
I will cut taxes and reform the tax code.
I will impose accountability on Washington.
I will lead America towards energy independence.
I will give Americans more control over, and access to, healthcare with affordable and portable free-market solutions.
I will increase adoptions, decrease abortions, and protect the quality of life for our children.
I will reform the legal system and appoint strict constructionist judges.
I will ensure that every community in America is prepared for terrorist attacks and natural disasters.
I will provide access to a quality education to every child in America by giving real school choice to parents.
I will expand America’s involvement in the global economy and strengthen our reputation around the world.
If that isn't a great start for a conservative man running for President, I don't know what is. How come I know this information and Santorum is clueless? What a crock.
I sure hope none of these people endorse Rudy.
I know Robertson has and he is now anathema in my book.
Somebody needs to get ahold of Fred and convince him that the Marriage and Abortion issues are important enough to warrant a federal level (Constitutional) solution.
Even if it is simply saying that he first would like to get done what is doable, a Federalism solution, while working towards the Constitutional solution.
Dobson doesn’t like Thompson, Mitt and obviously Rudy.
Somehow I get the feeling that if he were around 2,000 years ago he and people like him wouldn’t even have endorsed Jesus Christ (R-Nazareth).
Jesus was apolitical.
Some biblical scholars believe that the reason that Judas betrayed Jesus was because he refused to use his power to drive the Romans out of the Holy Land. Judas was a member of a militant group prior to becoming one of the Lord’s disciples. He saw the miracles. According to this thinking, Judas thought that if he had Jesus arrested He would have no choice but to use his power to save himself and smite the Romans.
Instead Jesus told Pontius Pilate: “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and render unto God that which is His.”
Let the candidates campaign on their positions, instead of massaging their principles or lack thereof to fit a specific audience or voting block.
I support Dobson and I support Thompson (and Hunter.)
Dobson’s words are mischaracterized.
He said he didn’t “THINK” Thompson was a Christian in a conversation. He followed that by saying that was his IMPRESSION. In other words, he was saying that he didn’t have a lot of info at the time.
Dobson’s words do not prevent him from voting for Fred. They meant that it was an area he needed more info about.
Part of the problem with conservatives is that Fred talked to the Arlington group, and they didn’t agree with the wording but felt they could work with Fred.
Dobson jumped in with both feet without talking to Fred. A phone call would have been a good thing. I believe Fred would have willingly talked to Dobson before Dobson started talking without thinking.
Bauer and Perkins are talking with and persuading, Dobson is criticizing without checking the facts.
This could probably have been worked out if Dobson just wouldn’t think out loud [vent] on the air, then blame someone else for the uproar. The interviewer is spreading an incorrect story doncha know.
Well, you're very next comment brings into question the absolute nature of what you just said above:
Some biblical scholars believe that the reason that Judas betrayed Jesus was because he refused to use his power to drive the Romans out of the Holy Land. Judas was a member of a militant group prior to becoming one of the Lord’s disciples.
So, some scholars, then believe that a full 1/6 of the disciples Jesus chose were Zealots (Simon the Zealot being the other). Did Zealots as insurrectionists believe it was OK to murder Roman soldiers? (Yes) So, in another words, it would be like Jesus coming today and choosing...well, make the obvious connections. It doesn't mean Jesus embraced Zealot philosophy; but it does mean that Jesus wasn't afraid to be linked with a certain political party--even if only by association.
In addition, Romans 13 clearly outlines that Jesus' early church thought of authorities as "ministers"--not "Ministers" in a parochial sense, but as ones who also serve God but in a non-ecclesiastical venue. (IOW, politics is closer to ministry than we think...hence European governmental titles that still are "Minister of...")
On top of that, tell me, who did Jesus compliment in the highest regard? (John the Baptist...see Matthew 11:11) When it came to discussing incumbent office-holders, was John the Baptist exactly silent? (Hardly. He lost his neck to one). Likewise, Jesus told a certain "authority" that he would have no "authority" had it not been given to him from above. He wasn't 100% averse to speaking truth to such men.
So, was John the Baptist apolitical? Nope.
Instead Jesus told Pontius Pilate: “Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and render unto God that which is His.”
OK, is abortion a politically-sanctioned act? (Yes) Who do pre-born babies belong to, the government or the Creator? Did the government establish the rite of marriage? (No) Therefore is it up to government to redefine this, or does the institution of marriage belong to God who created it in the garden for Adam & Eve?
Sometimes ya gotta be "political" just to keep the politicos' hands off what does not belong to Caesar.
I appreciate the thoughts and the response. I find the What Would Jesus Do political argument fascinating.
As far as abortion is concerned, I hardly think that it is purely a religious issue. You don’t necesarily need to believe in God, Jesus, Moses, yahweh, Muhammed, Vishnu or Buddha to know that sticking a sharp object into the skull of a crying fetus is inhuman and barbaric.
It’s just nauseating and wrong, even if you are an atheist. You just need to have some humanity, if not religious beliefs.
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