[CommerceComet]

I reject the premise that 10% or more Evangelicals will not vote for Romney, particularly in the face of Clinton. But, there will be few. My contention is that Romney’s crossover appeal - stemming mostly from his demonstrable family values - will dwarf that contingent.

Where is the evidence that Romney has any crossover appeal? Since Romney is generally the weakest of the major Republican candidates against the Democrats in hypothetical matchups, I really question Romney's crossover appeal. Many of the independents are secular and would be put off by Romney's devotion to Mormonism.

Don't count on Romney attracting evangelical votes because Clinton is the opponent. Clinton might not be the nominee. Also, evangelicals know that we have already survived eight years of Clintonian secularism. The difference between Romney and Clinton on a lot of issues isn't that great despite Mitt's claims to be a conservative. His flip-flopping and general softness on a lot of issues won't be reassuring to evangelicals. Finally, a lot of evangelicals are far more threatened by Mitt's Mormonism than they are Clinton's secularism.

[tantiboh]

~”Where is the evidence that Romney has any crossover appeal?”~

It’s an assertion. I don’t need evidence to back up my opinion. I may as well ask you where your evidence is that Romney doesn’t have any crossover appeal. Your hypothetical matchup data isn’t evidence.

~”Since Romney is generally the weakest of the major Republican candidates against the Democrats in hypothetical matchups...”~

You think any of that polling data actually matters right now? It doesn’t matter who the nominee is, given the current political climate, anybody we nominate will have an uphill path. Romney -has- proven that he’s able to gain and hold support as people get to know him - despite Huckabee’s surge, Romney has been basically flat. The same thing will happen in the general if he’s nominated. He’ll market himself and his qualifications, and people will line up behind him, just like they have in the early states.

~”His flip-flopping and general softness on a lot of issues won’t be reassuring to evangelicals.”~

Then why are so many evangelicals evidently so excited about Mike Huckabee? If you want softness on issues, there you have it. The social conservatives are on their way to dominating the conservative coalition - and they could care less what other conservative values they stomp on along the way. If Huckabee wins in Iowa, they will have their way, and the consequences will be severe.

The fact is, people all across the political spectrum value the family. Romney will draw people to him by his staunch defense of it and his sterling example.