DEMOCRATS TAKE WARNING: McCain just closed the evangelical vote

I was in England the last time a Republican candidate threw red meat this raw and bloody to the Conservative Right. It was the summer of 1988. George H.W. Bush had looked too liberal to the evangelical wing of the party. He had to do something to let them KNOW he was a conservative. So he chose Dan Quayle as his running mate.

From my position as an American abroad, I was sure Bush's choice was a fatal mistake. As a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, I occasionally spoke to Rotarian audiences. When they asked what I thought of the election, I let them in on the truth: Dukakis was sure to win. The election was a no-brainer because the senator from Indiana was an embarrassment. I pointed to Quayle's gaffes, his perceived stupidity, his inexperience. There was no way America would elect Bush.

I was wrong.

I didn't understand what Bush was doing. He chose Quayle for one reason only: the senator was Pro-Life and Anti-Gay, and Bush needed the evangelical vote. Reagan's blessing undoubtedly helped, but nonetheless, when Election Day rolled around, George H.W. Bush dominated the election on his own terms.

I remember that election night. I was sitting in my dorm room at Richmond College in London with another American friend, watching the returns on television. Allison Orr was a Republican, and I had laid down a bet on Michael Dukakis. I lost.

John McCain isn't worried about the fact that Governor Palin believes in Creationism, likes to shoot small animals, and is eager to plunder Alaska's natural resources. He knows the truth - because Steve Schmidt has shown the way things work in American politics.

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Mark my words. Evangelical America has just found a reason to vote for Senator John McCain. That reason is spelled P-A-L-I-N. By choosing her as VP, he has locked up the evangelical vote. Why? Because of her position on abortion.

Except for slavery, no issue in American history has polarized this country more. Because of Governor Palin's position, American evangelical pastors will acclaim the McCain ticket tomorrow from their pulpits. You doubt this? Look at James Dobson - the spokesman for the Religious Right who refused to give the McCain ticket his support. He's now an "enthusiastic supporter." From now on, McCain doesn't have to do anything for the evangelical Right (and he won't). He's golden.

Can you imagine what President Sarah Palin's Supreme Court nominations would look like? Especially four to eight years from now if she takes the mantle from PRESIDENT John McCain?

Oh, and we can forget about using "inexperience" as an argument. Remember the last few weeks? We Democrats have been proclaiming loudly that it's judgment that counts. To evangelical Christians, having the right judgment when it comes to Roe vs. Wade is the only judgment that matters.

And it doesn't help that some believe Obama to be Muslim and the Anti-Christ: The Man who will create a One-World Government and bring in the Apocalypse. 12% of Americans believe this thanks to the power of viral emails.

If we wish to win, we Democrats need to cast aside any hopes that Palin will weaken the Republican ticket - and take her candidacy seriously. If we do not, we will lose. It's as simple as that. Unless someone finds a smoking gun - and I mean, something so far beyond ideological that it's criminal - the McCain ticket may prove unstoppable. We need to be afraid. Very afraid.

In fact, Obama's men and women behind the curtain need to reread The Prince. Because Steve Schmidt is applying all of Machiavelli's principles. And he's doing it brilliantly. The only thing that counts for him is winning - idealism has nothing now to do with McCain's campaign. Karl Rove's apprentice is as dangerous as the Dark Lord himself.

Look at what has happened in the few months since Schmidt assumed power. The McCain campaign has gone from a floundering ship under fire to Fortress America.

How did Schmidt pull that off? Simple. He made a pragmatic decision. He knew that most voters don't give a rat's derriere about who the VP is. So Schmidt tossed the Religious Right a candidate who shares their most important value. That Stealth Choice has turned the campaign offering into Prime Midwestern Strip Steak, grilled tasty and delicious - whether you are an independent, a moderate, OR a conservative voter.

I speak from knowledge and experience. I know the world of Evangelical America. I grew up in it. Many of my childhood friends and family happily compare the number of abortions to the number of Jews killed in Hitler's Death Camps. The Evangelical Right gave the White House to George W. Bush because he talked their language - TWICE. And thus I know there was a lot of whooping and hollering going on Friday morning.

Democrats take warning. With his choice of Governor Palin as VP, McCain just closed the evangelical vote in America. Locked them up. And there's nothing we can do about it. Come November, evangelicals will flood the voting booths, confident that God is on their side. They won't even need to feel slightly racist anymore.

Look at it through their eyes for a moment. What could be a more powerful argument against abortion than the iconic image of Governor Sarah Palin cradling her youngest child on her shoulder? She and her husband carried that pregnancy to term, fully knowing that the resulting child would have Downs Syndrome, yet fully committed to honoring his life. This one's a true believer, folks.

To the Religious Right, the battle against Roe vs. Wade has always been a war for the lives of millions of babies. Until now during this election season, its political battles have taken place behind the scenes.

Not any more. Be very afraid, Democrats. The Culture War just went hot on Friday morning in Dayton, Ohio.

Comments

[Brian15910]

Lots of insight in you post Steve. Many of the democratic "experts", on CCN this weekend, were acting like they were stunned by this this pick. It will be very hard for them to successfully attack a young mother of a child with disabilities. As you noted Quayle was easy to attack but it didn't work. Middle class, Social conservatives, will unfortunately, continue to vote against their best interests because the republicans have figured out how to play to their deeply held belief system.

[SaddieMcCall]

Are you sure that the evangelicals are thrill with a mother who promote that women and men can exchange roles? (isn't that a reason that they detest gay people adopting), are you sure that they are excited about a mother campaigning with a 4 month old disabled child in the campaign bus? Are you sure evangelicals are thrill to have someone from their side telling women that its okay to put your career goals in front of your husband and children? If so, then I guess evangelicals have evolved further than I realized.

[randyjet]

The fact is that he is right. Remember that Kerry had the lead in all the polls going into election day. The fact that Rove and the GOP probably stole some votes, still does not negate the fact that virtually all of the right wing Christians, got all of their voters out. There was one lady who came into our polling place, and she had never voted before. She was an older lady, and she was desperate to do what her preacher told her to do. The Catholic Church did it part as well, so Kerry lost the Catholic vote too. That was the margin of victory for the GOP. I am certain the Church will do the same this time around too with the Panzer Pope in charge now.

[MPeter]

"If we wish to win, we Democrats need to cast aside any hopes that Palin will weaken the Republican ticket - and take her candidacy seriously. If we do not, we will lose. It's as simple as that. Unless someone finds a smoking gun - and I mean, something so far beyond ideological that it's criminal - the McCain ticket may prove unstoppable. We need to be afraid. Very afraid."

Wow. This is insightful. Dems, Obama team, pay heed. We have a fight on our hands. The evil schemers in the Right Wing are plotting and lurking in the bushes.

[BADEN]

You know something?

I say, let them go.

Their "values" are not my values.

Let them go.

Their view of this country and where it needs to go is not my view.

Let them go.

Their one vote per person is no more important than mine.

Let them go.

They want a theocracy. I don't.

Let them go.

They are not worth the time and effort.

[Titonwan]

You know, I would be a lot more concerned, if Barack hadn't failed us on the FISA bill. I was Barack's number one fan until he showed me zilch in protecting my fourth amendment rights. I'm not taking anyone's word that things will change when they get elected, not with the results I've seen. Yep, Obama is facing a lot of trouble ahead, but if he would have listened to Samantha Powers instead of Hillary's advisors and members of the CFR, things would be very different. Us progressives were ready to fight to the bitter end, but not when we're ignored and marginalized. Good luck with that.

[GrainOSand]

Titonwan:

I definitely had a problem with the position Mr. Obama took on FISA. After heavy deliberation on the subject, I concluded that:

1. The FISA issue preceded Mr. Obama and both sides of the aisle were complicit in the faulty and flawed legislation.
2. When I committed to supporting Mr. Obama, it was a commitment that could not be turned unless it was revealed that the man had a flaw of character or mind that necessitated withdrawal of support. The FISA issue does not rise to that because, I do not "know" the political hornets nest behind Mr. Obama's decision and I get a feeling we have not heard the last of this and if it is addressed under an Obama administration, the right approach will emerge.
3. The country is already corrupt, infiltrated by people who care not for you or me, and there is no credible candidate other than Obama that is offering the possibility that we can be different. McCain is truly more of the same. FISA is more of the same lest we forget COINTELPRO (Hoover"s counter intelligence program) which preceded FISA. This country has been broken a long, long, time. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COINTELPRO
4. The opinions of a fellow citizen with more expertise on the subject mater than I possess, were credible: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/6/26/62819/0991/926/542170

[thenextquagmire]

It should be, Americans take warning! Its says a lot about the USA's state of mind, that after more than 20 years, some fear that the Evangelical vote can still give us bad Presidents, who make bad policies. If Democrats want to win, go and VOTE and get your neighbors, friends and family to do the same, and warn them of the consequences of another bad administration in a ever more dangerous and interconnected world and McCain just shows bad judgment.

[GrainOSand]

I find Randy Newman's God's Song appropriate for this subject.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TFNPgzoIg0


I like the Etta James version (Randy wrote it) but I could not find the video to link. It is a powerful song. Enjoy and contemplate for any who might listen.

[devinsbuddy]

Saints preserve us!
I don't mind someone having a personal savior, but these wngnuts have his unlisted number.

[sparkandy]

I think the left already knew this in their guts. That's why they're so horrified. Also, I bet a lot of women who were unsure before will vote McCain just because of Palin. It was a brilliant move and the Dems are in trouble, again.

[CoulterIsASuccubus]

"What could be a more powerful argument against abortion than the iconic image of Governor Sarah Palin cradling her youngest child on her shoulder? "

Maybe lying about the pregnancy and cradling her grandchild.

[GrainOSand]

To the Evangelicals:

You shall reap what you sow.

There is nothing more to be said. Hypocrites in Christ are hypocrites. Bigots in Christ are bigots. What made me stop attending church was not the words or actions of evildoers outside the church, it was the hypocrisy I witnessed in people in the church.

Obama is too inexperienced -- oh, that did not work -- let us frame the question using that tried and true method of enflaming certain sensibilities of hate of and for anything that is different in appearance, and the infantile feelings of self-interest that continue to divide this "post-race" country -- the white woman. We strung'em from trees before based on innuendo and false allegation of rape; let us string them from political trees using the same lynch mob tactics.

In 2008, if this works the headline should read, AMERICA TAKE WARNING!

If you have ever wondered why OJ Simpson is still a story -- this is why, the fact that he was acquitted of murdering a white woman. Certain people cannot let that go when WHITES HAVE KILLED BLACKS AND OTHERS FOR CENTURIES AND THE STORY IS SOON FORGOTTEN IF EVER THOUGHT ABOUT. Double homicides happen all over America, but somehow that one was more compelling.

Gustav is nothing compared to the storm that will come to a nation ignorant and proud of it. You reap what you sow and sometimes harvest takes a couple of centuries to catch up with evil sown long ago.

[VictorVictorious]

sadly, it probably wouldn't even matter to the apocalyptos if they knew that rove and schmidt are using sarah palin and her innocent little grandson as political footballs

[afgail]

The evangelicals prayed that it rain on the Democrats during Obama's speech and God ignored them a delivered a gorgeous day. Now the Republicans are scrambling their convention to respond to the expected torrential rains of Hurricain Gustav. What do you think God is telling the evangelicals? I'm thinking this is God's way of telling them to repent and vote for Obama.

[afgail]

Even the most sceptical evangeleical must feel an odd twinge that God is pulling their tails. Having prayed to God that it rain on Obama's parade and God delivered a gorgeous day for the speech in the stadium. Now the torrential rains of Hurricane Gustave is playing havoc with the well laid plans for the Republican Convention. Do you suppose God is sending the evangelicals a message to vote for Obama? If you believe God dabbles in our national pollitics there is only one conclusion. God wants them to vote for Obama.