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cbayer

(146,218 posts)
Sat Jun 21, 2014, 09:59 AM Jun 2014

Republicans Court Religious Conservatives At Faith And Freedom Conference

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/20/faith-and-freedom-2014_n_5514538.html

Posted: 06/20/2014 8:36 am EDT Updated: 06/20/2014 2:00 pm EDT


NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 04: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie attends the 2014 Father Of The Year Awards at New York Hilton on June 4, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images) | Slaven Vlasic via Getty Images


WASHINGTON (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is joining the parade of ambitious Republicans courting religious conservatives as the early jockeying for the next presidential contest intensifies.

Christie was to deliver his first major address to an evangelical conference on Friday, the second day of the Faith and Freedom Coalition's annual meeting, which brings hundreds of social conservative leaders to Washington. He'll be joined on a packed agenda that also includes the GOP's 2012 vice presidential nominee, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan, and tea party firebrand Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky.

Each is weighing a 2016 presidential run. The appearance comes at a critical time for Christie, who is broadening his political outreach as he works to recover from a political retribution scandal in his home state.

This group of potential presidential contenders largely represents a wing of the Republican Party eager to downplay the GOP's positions on divisive social issues, although each of the three opposes gay marriage and abortion rights, including funding for Planned Parenthood, among other social conservative priorities.

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TlalocW

(15,359 posts)
1. I looked at the title and skimmed the article, and I had the kneejerk reaction
Sat Jun 21, 2014, 11:50 AM
Jun 2014

Feh, silly republicans, kowtowing to religious conservatives. (Most) Democrats don't do that, but then I realized I was wrong as there are groups our candidates and party do go after - we hope it's for the right reason and not JUST wanting to get elected - but the different groups we target are normally those who just want a level playing field and want to elevate their members to have the same equal rights as what America promises - different ethnic groups, LGBT, etc. None of them want to be in control of everyone else and afforded special rights that make them, "more equal," than others like religious conservatives who want America to be a religious theocracy, want to deny people full citizenship based on their poor interpretation of a religious text, etc. That should be good enough reason for anyone not in the religious right to want to, if not vote for democrats, then vote against republicans.

TlalocW

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
3. Agree. Both parties and other third parties definitely target
Sat Jun 21, 2014, 12:20 PM
Jun 2014

particular demographic groups.

One of the biggest groups right now are latinos.

Targeting just means trying to make your agenda compatible with theirs. That's often just done by highlighting certain parts of your agenda, and pushing some others to the side.

The religious right has been a huge voting bloc and the republicans have gone after them with vigor and quite successfully.

But perhaps there is an opportunity to target them in some areas. Some evangelical groups are embracing environmental concerns as their top priority.

We will never get those for whom the anti-choice and anti-marriage equality are their top issues, but perhaps there are other areas where we could get a toe in the door.

And, as you say, highlighting and stressing some of the republican positions that religious conservatives may find objectionable is a very good strategy.

pinto

(106,886 posts)
4. I think the environment is a prime - and worthwhile - opportunity to garner cross over support.
Sat Jun 21, 2014, 01:44 PM
Jun 2014

Federal courts have, for the most part, struck down right wing efforts to legitimize discrimination. On a number of fronts. And I've a gut feeling that many Republicans are uneasy with the extremism growing in their party.

If I were a Dem strategist - I'd bring up the environment at any chance. Citing the nominally Republican icon, Teddy Roosevelt, would be a good point to make on that issue.

Agree, we'll never get to the anti-choice, anti-marriage equality factions. But we can side step them. As does a growing number of the electorate.

In context for this forum, I think the extreme right wing has pushed separation of church / state onto the table. They've made it a primary issue. Seems to me they are painting themselves into a narrow and narrower corner.

cbayer

(146,218 posts)
5. Separation issues is also an area where there may be opportunities for alliances.
Sat Jun 21, 2014, 02:54 PM
Jun 2014

One thing libertarians pretty consistently agree on is their hatred of government intrusion. While I am not looking to court libertarians, I think some may vote democratic is they feel there is a push in the party to enforce separation.

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