80% isn’t a reliable base. If it was 90%+, then, maybe.
I think the GOP alienates more voters than it gains by trying to appeal to ‘Evangelicals’. It’s perceived as a Theocracy party, and in some sense that isn’t wholly inaccurate considering how close Santorum came to winning the primaries.
Actually, none of us have ever seen the Republican party appeal to Evangelicals. The reality is Republicans ARE Evangelicals or they are Catholics ~ and that’s pretty much that story.
80% isn’t a reliable base. If it was 90%+, then, maybe.
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Its the best the Republicans have. No other demographic comes close. If the dems can pander to blacks, gays, latinos and win elections with that small minority percentage, then why cant Repubs run a strong Christian SoCon candidate?
I’ll tell you why. Because many Republicans are not SoCons and they resent even hate the Christian right position. Want proof? Look at this thread. Mention the name ‘Huckabee’ and see the nasty anti-Christian remarks that are made. Even here at Free Republic.
So what can Rove and the GOP-e do? If they follow the lead of true conservative Evangelicals and consider a Huck or a Palin or even a Newt... they piss off too many RINOs. And besides... the general population will never elect a Christian anyway.
Not any more.
Its time to trash the evangelical base and form alliance with any and all kinds of like minded conservatives regardless of race or religion and rebuild a purely conservative base.