WASHINGTON, DC – Although it may come as a shock to moderate and liberal Americans, the Grand Old Party is simply not conservative enough – according to the Christian Right.Mainstream publications are increasingly reporting that high profile neo-cons are so disgruntled with their golden son, George W. Bush, in spite of his military action in Afghanistan, extended “war against terror” in Iraq, repeatedly mega right wing recommendations for Supreme Court Justices, and condemnation of homosexuality and same-sex marriage, that they may stay home in droves during upcoming elections.
Given how uncomfortable social liberals and even middle-of-the-road types are during the ongoing Bush administration, what is it that the right wing is so upset about that it’s threatening to assist a Republican loss during the next election cycle?
James Dobson of Focus on the Family, one of the dominant voices in the Christian conservative movement today, recently pouted to Fox News Channel, the media darling of the right wing, that Republicans were “just ignoring those that put them in office.” As Dobson sees it, the GOP’s inability to legislate social change that satisfies the ultra conservative voter base on vital issues including abortion, same-sex marriage, obscenity, and pornography is going to cause “some trouble down the road if they don’t get on the ball.”
Conservative direct-mail pioneer Richard Viguerie contends that “There is a growing feeling among conservatives that the only way to cure the problem is for Republicans to lose the congressional elections this fall.”
Threatening to ignore Republicans during election time is not a new tactic for Christian conservatives, but a possible voting booth boycott this year could cause considerable harm to Republicans hoping for re-election, especially given how little support the party has received from its moderate and even liberal members, who have complained of feeling disenfranchised throughout Bush’s presidency. Without the far right, which is currently seen as the core of the GOP’s remaining supporters, the party may find precious few Americans willing to vote for its candidates – a huge change from the days during which Dobson and his comrades threw themselves wholeheartedly behind gaining Republican control of the nation in 2004.
Even attendees of a recent Tysons Corner, VA meeting of the secretive Council for National Policy were clear about their lack of confidence in the White House and Congressional Republicans since the 2004 elections.
