Posted on 03/23/2008 3:36:00 PM PDT by TBP
Primary turnout and recent surveys show conservative "values" voters have abandoned the Republican Party.
Illustrating a dramatic about face from past elections, a recent study shows that if the election were held today, 40% of all evangelical Christian voters would choose the Democratic candidate and just 29% would choose the Republican candidate. The remaining 28% are undecided, saying they would make their selection without respect to party affiliation.
A Barna Group release titled: Born Again Voters No Longer Favor Republican Candidates cites figures that spell doom for the Republican Party, given that "in the past couple of elections, the born again vote represented about half of the total number of votes cast in the U.S. (and)... given the close tally in 2004, the born again vote (is) vital."
"The political pendulum hasn't swung this far since the Whig Party became extinct back before the Civil War," noted Constitution Party National Committee Chairman Jim Clymer. "Just as the Republican Party, then a third party, wound up deposing the Whigs, we're seeing the demise of the Republican party because voters have decided it's lost its relevance. That explains the steady and solid growth of the Constitution Party," Clymer added.
The Constitution Party, on course to have ballot access in all 50 states this November, is the largest and fastest-growing third party based on voter registrations (Ballot Access News).
"Conservative voters have made it clear they want no part of the Grand Old Party. Statistics show many are saying they will no longer buy into 'party loyalty' when their party has been anything but loyal to them. With candidates like Senators McCain, Obama and Clinton in the mix, voters will correctly assume they have nothing to lose by voting their conscience in November — even if that means a vote for a smaller party candidate," Clymer predicted.
George Barna, head of the recent voter preference survey said, "The evangelical vote is up for grabs. In recent elections, the faith vote sided with the Republican candidate.... This year... however, the faith vote cannot be taken for granted. Republican candidates have a tough road ahead of them."
"To succeed in his bid for the White House, McCain must consolidate his support among conservatives, which will not happen just because he is the Republican nominee. In the wake of... Republican scandals... and... failure to advance... the social conservative agenda,... support for the GOP has diminished," wrote Tony Perkins of the Christian political advocacy group the Family Research Council. Likewise, GOPUSA notes: "The problem the GOP faces is with turnout. Plain and simple, more (than double the number of) Democrats are voting in the primaries than Republicans."
The Constitution Party will choose a presidential candidate at its April 23-26th Nominating Convention in Kansas City, Mo.
There is no election today. That will come in November. As it is in all elections, opinions are just that until the time to pull the lever.
It is looking more and more like we will have to reclaim our country, and our freedom, from the ashes. Nanny states don’t die easily, and the parasitic beings that rely on it will become increasingly violent and difficult to deal with as the government gravy train disappears.
Thanks for making my point.
That is a 100% guarantee, no matter who wins. It COULD be (and probably will be) a massive Republican wipe-out.
“If you want Conservative support, you get it with Conservative candidates.”
There were a number of “conservative candidates” running? How did that work out? It’s time conservatives realize that being conservative isn’t enough, you’ve got to articulate policies and positions in a manner that generates broad appeal or you won’t win. And blaming the RNC doesn’t cut it.
I know what’ll happen in November and I’m no charlatan.
I’ll be on the planet Earth, for one thing, and so will you.
:-P
That’s why the conservative AREN’T voting for McCain. We don’t want to see a socialist democrat in power.
McClinbama - or in other words, what’s the difference?
Sorry but that has been proven a fallacy by the mere fact that McCain overwhelmingly crushed Conservatives running against him. He will align liberals to vote for him, and he won't need conservatives! Ipsofacto, we get screwed-o!
Primary turnout and recent surveys show conservative “values” voters have abandoned the Republican Party.
THAT is a flat out lie. The Party abandoned the voters, not the other way around.
So what is it going to be a Democrat Liberal swine or a RHINO who wants to keep the Bush tax cuts. appoint conservative Supreme Court Justices, and continue to prosecute the war on terrorism?
mmm, tough choices. Do I drink the Drano or inject the Rat Poison?
Well, as long as it is just those folks, then o.k.
Don't need 'em, don't want 'em, and there's only a few of them anyway, so they can just go jump off a pier.
The GOP is defining its future, not some whacked-out wierdos.
As if that never happens.
I'm sure the MSM would never stoop to such underhanded tactics.
Naahhh...
Heh-heh.
Don't you just wonder where they get their ideas?
(caller) "..so can you just go ahead and send some money anyway?"
Basically that what they tried. It didn't work out well for them.
It’s too bad the Republicans decided not to run a candidate this year.
Nonsense. Start the primaries in Texas and Kansas instead of Iowa and New Hampshire. Then relegate anyone who isn't one of the 'top three' into a 'lower tier' before going on to any other state. I dare say the outcome would be drastically different.
It isn't that the Conservative candidates were inarticulate. It is simply a matter of attrition. by the time conservative states have a choice, there is no Conservative left to vote for. Such was the case this time.
“Nonsense. Start the primaries in Texas and Kansas instead of Iowa and New Hampshire.”
I doubt it would make a difference. There were plenty of conservatives in the race. In fact, too many. Each with his own niche of support splitting the conservative vote allowing the moderate to win.
We, here on FR, seem to think that a candidate only has to appeal to ourselves. In order to win the primaries and, more importantly, to win the general election, a winning candidate must be able to articulate the benefits of conservatism in a manner that appeals to the broad middle. This is not saying that he has to pander to the middle, but that he must be able to attract support from the middle even if that means losing some conservative support. None of the conservatives were able to do that. So we all lost.
“Then relegate anyone who isn’t one of the ‘top three’ into a ‘lower tier’ before going on to any other state. I dare say the outcome would be drastically different.”
I remember the fire storm when it was announced that no one under 5% would be allowed to participate in some of the debates. While I agree that the field should have been narrowed very early, I don’t know how this can be done without antagonising much of the conservative base. How often did you read here, if ‘Candidate X’ isn’t allowed to participate in the debate, I’ll never vote republican again?
“It isn’t that the Conservative candidates were inarticulate. It is simply a matter of attrition. by the time conservative states have a choice, there is no Conservative left to vote for. Such was the case this time.”
Perhaps more importantly, the winner take all format of the primaries allowed the candidate with a plurality but not a majority to take all the delegates. While I don’t like the proportionate splitting of delegates used the the democrats such a primary system would helped the conservative candidates. Perhaps a compromise. If a candidate wins 50% of the vote, then it’s winner take all. Less and it’s proportional.
People who have expectations voiced on this thread and are cynical should be reminded that politics is purely a practical matter of competition WINNING. If you expect too much platitudes or such from politicians, won’t find it there. Go to church and look for it there. A major politician said, “If you must have a friend (someone who shares your political views) in politics, introduce a canine to politics.”
Politics will be messy/cynical because it’s run by humans beings, not dogs. Get real. Stop whinning. Get involved.
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