Suckering The Fundamentalists, Again

Last week I was awash in admiration for the Republicans. As I have so many other times, I wished I could be a Republican. They are magnificent. If my formative years hadn't included such a strong dose of Jesus and his stubborn, demanding ideas about the poor, I might be able to join them. I, too, could be a winner and get to keep more of my money for me, me, me.

The cause of my Republican yearning was the woman whose name is on everyone's lips: Sarah Palin. She was a brilliant choice. She's helped the Republicans sucker the Religious Right again.

This election fundamentalist kingmakers swore they wouldn't fall for Republican ploys, not again, not this time. After 30 years of controlling the party, they were tired of being shunted aside after the election. Thirty years of effort, millions of volunteers, millions of dollars, and the Religious Right has made no progress on its core issues. There's been smoke but no purging fire.

Abortion is still legal. The last two Supreme Court justices appointed both gained approval only because they didn't vow to overturn Roe vs. Wade. Gay rights gain more supporters every year. Thirty years ago, fundamentalist Christians could titillate and offend with stories of homosexual perversions. Now no one outside fundamentalist ranks is interested enough to listen. Once a fundamentalist Christian boycott against businesses that offer equal rights to gays and lesbians would make headlines for days. Now people yawn.

At one point during George W. Bush's administration, the Republicans controlled Congress. The three highest positions in the country (president, Speaker of the House and Senate Majority leader) were held by men who favored Religious Right policies.

And still nothing happened on the issues closest to the fundamentalist Christian heart.

The kingmakers were right to take their toys and go home.

But they didn't. Instead they overplayed their hand. They forced McCain to pass up more experienced candidates. They won. Heady with their victory, the faithful rushed back into the Republican fold. And that very week, Cindy McCain announced that she didn't favor overturning Roe vs. Wade. Shades of Laura Bush, a move to placate moderate Republicans that worked before.

What's going to happen next? The Republicans will lose. Or they will win. Either way, the Religious Right will be suckered again. Because their real constituency isn't large enough to force substantive change. They can control the Republicans. They can swing an election. But they can't move the country.

My Republican longing and admiration lasted a week. This week, it's not looking so good for the Grand Old Party.

Some of its most seasoned supporters are questioning whether Sarah Palin has the experience to step into the president's shoes if she needs to. This week, New York Times' conservative columnist David Brooks, after a bit of overblown fulminating against the Democrats, concluded that, yes, experience does matter. And no, Sarah Palin doesn't have enough. He isn't alone in his conclusion.

One hundred and forty thousand women have signed up at the new website, womenagainstsarahpalin.blogspot.com. and given reasons they won't support her. Moderate Republican women are quietly and sometimes noisily jumping ship, angry that experienced, capable women like Texas Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison were passed over. And the Dems haven't unleashed Hillary yet.

I'm feeling better about being a Democrat. Better every day.

---
Christine Wicker is the author of "The Fall of the Evangelical Nation." Her website is www.christinewicker.com.

Comments

[Rockerbabe]

Ms. Wicker, do not despair. All this muckracking is just getting started. Men like to rattle their sabers and yank chains and bluster. In the end, with dems anyway, common sense, practicality and respect for the rights of others generally wins out.
Governor Palin was a ploy; she thinks she can govern. I don't know if she can. She has been the governor of AK for only 2 years and who knows if she will be successful and get reelected. My opinion is that she is really way in over her head, but she is making a good show of it. But, strong women do scare the repugs and I think "they" thought she could be easily controlled. Well think again.
Hopefully Obama Biden will will big and we can get back to doing what Americans do best; work, enjoy themselves and not worry so much. . .might even see the end of the nightmare in Iraq.

[mommadona]

Is there really anything left of that Republican Party?

Is it just a shell company for the most current MLM scam call "Christian Family Values"?

Anyone been to a mega-church lately?

It's a business-a shopping mall set up. Period.

Part entertainment center ala "Chucky Cheese", part Aimee Semple McPherson on steroids, and big time money maker - "There's a sucker born every minute"...­..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megachurch

[lewes17266]

Ms. Wicker,

Your first paragraph does not describe me as a Republican all those years. I never voted thinking "me, me, me." I simply bought the lie the Republican party was the Christian party. Christians are very trusting and I was the worst, or best. Unfortunately, years passed before I read what Christian conservatives like Coulter, Medved, Buckley, and Novak were writing and teaching. In Palin I see a similar hardness that concerns me. Her abstinence-only stance in spite of having a pregnant 17-year-old seems strict and harsh and I cannot relate. I wonder if anyone will ever ask her to explain how her faith has impacted her life and touched her heart. Her dependence on Law, even when it hurts us and ours, is telling. I am redundant, I know, but what good are laws without compassion? I don't understand why more women don't relax and set standards that are attainable, and teach their daughters to do the same.
Depressing as it is, McCain's desperate pandering for the Dobson endorsement with the offering of the Palin family does not appear to be a problem with most voters. Now that I am a Democrat, I can so clearly see how tenderness toward one another, toward even ourselves and men, toward the weak and the needy is what defines a Christian heart and I am with you, Christine Wicker, no matter what happens in this election, "I'm feeling better about being a Democrat. Better every day."

[kjdwyer]

The choice of Sarah Palin was probably the most cynical, opportunistic nomination in American political history. Not only is she supremely unqualified (the empress has no clothes), but EVERYONE KNOWS IT, including McCain and company.

Given the scandals that swirl around Sarah (Troopergate, etc.) I have a sneaking suspicion that once the election is over (it's just weeks away) the McCain machine (whether they win or lose) and the MSM are going to stop their obstruction into true investigations and then just throw Palin under a bus.

If the McCain/Palin ticket wins, within a very short period of time, I predict that we'll be hearing the following speech from McCain:

"Due to the legal issues surrounding Vice President Palin, she has determined that it's in the best interests of the country to tender her resignation. We reluctantly accept and wish her well."

That way, little Johnnie gets to hand pick his V.P. without having to cede to the Religious Right. What can evangelicals say in such a situation? It's not McCain's fault that Palin abused her power as Governor of Alaska. Palin will have served her purpose and they can confidently get rid of her. You don't actually think that the conservatives want her, do you?

If the McCain/Palin ticket loses, she's on the next plane to Juneau, back in the Governor's chair and will be dealing with all her legal issues ALONE.

[readyfornewleadership]

The religious conservatives want her.
The fiscal conservatives want Mitt.

[Sciguy]

AMEN!!!