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.
Even then, they'll probably learn the wrong lesson. The Republican Party has a virtually infinite capacity for learning the wrong lesson.
I got a call from the party the other day asking for money. When I complained about conservatives being run out of the party they stated that they are hearing that a lot these days.
The GOP abandoned me last summer when Bush and the Ted Kennedy wing of the Republican Party tried forcing amnesty down our throats.
This fall could be a massive conservative wipe-out...with McCain winning the White House, anyway. Whatever his party affiliation, he’s in a unique position to become America’s Favorite Democrat. ;)
That’s right - staying home or voting for someone other than Juan on Election Day won’t teach them any lesson they’ll remember ten years from now. We really need to fold up the big tent, to become more ideologically pure, or else the RINOs will always be around.
Sounds normal to me. If the GOP doesn’t need conservatives, that makes a statement that they do not need our money.
I am sure there are many moderates and independents out there to fill the void for the people that the GOP no longer need.
Makes sense to me.
“The GOP abandoned me last summer when Bush and the Ted Kennedy wing of the Republican Party tried forcing amnesty down our throats.”
Now they’re forcing Juan down our throats, NOT.
Happened to me about two weeks ago, I am afraid I was not as polite as you were. Probably knocked the socks off the guy that called. Maybe they will start getting the hint.
They said that after Watergate too.
Then the Democrats offered up Jimmy Bob Carter.
totally at odds with all other polls - sounds like someone from the “If we say it, people will believe it “ strategy
It’s really not just the money, either We conservatives have done the heavy fighting in the trenches. Without our passionate campaigning, the Republicans will be vastly weakened as a party.
Another so called “Expert” chimes in!
I agree. It’s really hard to get all fired up over a candidate that strives so diligently to work against so many of our country’s best interests. Maybe 2012....
Not as dead as the Dems will be after their primary season is over.
September 1st, 2008
Dems -- are just dead.
“40% of all Born-Agains would choose the Democratic Party.”
Bull.
Values voters are suddenly going to embrace two of the most staunch pro-choice candidates in the country?
They’re going to endorse a candidate who’s minister has helped out Hamas?
They’re going to vote for Hillary Clinton, who’s arguably the most dishonest politician in decades?
They’re going to endorse a party that believes man descended from plankton?
It’s funny how the Left spends every election year courting the evangelicals, and the other years they trash them.
One reason that the GOP may be DOA is because they don’t have the nerve to stand up and fight for the people who voted them into office. It seems that democrat candidates promise that they will go to Washington and “fight for” their constituencies. Republicans seem to go to Washington to “surrender”. Now with Tom Delay, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and George Allen no longer around it looks the GOP will surrender more often.
We must have a strong conservative third party candidate on the ballot come November, if we want conservatives to show up and vote for conservative down ballot candidates. McCain isn’t going to motivate anybody. Shoot, even among the ranks of his supporters, the best they can come up with is “I know he sucks, but...”
That won’t look too good on a bumper sticker.
If Alan Keyes chooses to go the CP route, he’ll be receiving my vote and the votes of my entire family.
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