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Social Conservatives Locked Out of GOP Prime Time
NewsMax ^ | 7/12/04 | Phil Brennan

Posted on 07/12/2004 6:12:22 PM PDT by wagglebee

Social conservatives feel they are getting short shrift from the Republican National Committee’s lineup of speakers at the GOP convention in New York this year, reports the New York Times.

Thus far, prime time speaking slots are nearly bereft of those who share the views of the party's conservative majority - a vital voting bloc the Bush campaign desperately needs if it is to win in November.

Still, the Times writes:

Even though Karl Rove "emphasized the importance of turning out conservative churchgoers" who didn't vote in the numbers he expected in 2000, and even though they are a "major target of [GOP] voter registration efforts," it doesn't seem they will be well represented in prime time at the convention in NY.

The Rev. Donald E. Wildmon, founder of the American Family Association, told the Times the "Bush campaign had made mistakes, including its outreach to churches and the omission of more social conservatives from the convention so far. 'They have alienated people who they desperately need, big time,' he said."

The Bush/Cheney campaign has miffed some churchgoers with certain voter-registration tactics, including having congregations send the campaign their registries.

Richard Land, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the conservative Southern Baptist Convention, told the Times: "I'm appalled that the Bush-Cheney campaign would intrude on a local congregation in this way."

President Bush is the only visible national conservative who has "turned up his own talk of opposition to abortion and especially same-sex marriage," which is up for debate in the Senate this week.

Moderates like McCain, Giuliani, Pataki, and Schwarzenegger will all speak in prime time at the GOP confab, but no true social conservative other than President Bush will garner precious, limited network airtime.

The most like-minded person with a featured speaking role is Senator Zell Miller, a Democrat from Georgia.

He drew fire from National Review's Washington editor Kate O'Beirne, who wrote, "When the only Reagan Republican to enjoy a prominent supporting role at the party's convention is a Democrat, the GOP has a serious identity problem."

The roster of speakers, she added, "is not the mark of a self-confident party establishment."

More ominous was the warning from long time conservative activist Paul Weyrich: "I hate to say it, but... If the president is embarrassed to be seen with conservatives at the convention, maybe conservatives will be embarrassed to be seen with the president on Election Day."

More conciliatory was Gary Bauer, a social conservative candidate who sought the Republican presidential nomination in 2000.

Noting the Bush backs the Constitutional amendment defining marriage as being solely between a man and woman, now being debated in the Senate, Bauer, the founder of the American Values organization, added. "We had been assured months ago that as this vote happened the president would take an active role - both publicly and on Capitol Hill. So they are keeping their word and my hat goes off to them for that."

But he told the Times, "If they are going to win the values debate - and it looks like there is going to be one - it is important for the president's words to be reinforced by other major personalities at the convention."

He added that his fellow social conservatives continue to push for greater representation at the convention, and said that the President should address abortion, same-sex marriage and similar issues prominently when he speaks to the convention.

Answering conservative critics, Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt told the Times Sunday: "The Republican Party is a national party, and the convention lineup will reflect the broad national appeal of the Republican Party. When the speaker lineup is complete, it will reflect that."


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: conservatives; conservativism; gopconvention; ncconvention; newshacks; zellmiller
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To: All

The Democrats aren't the only body of individuals in this country that fail to understand the risks this nation faces in the next 4 years. It is not realistic to reside under the belief that every battle can be fought at once by one man. G.W. has chosen the battle he feels threatens this country above any other. Terrorism. To round out his platform it would appear to be tax cuts and the fight to preserve marriage.

Smaller Government and immigration are concerns. Instead of expecting Bush to be our savior and tackle 5 strong platforms, why not call for greater accountability from our representatives in the House and Seante? I realize the President is the figurehead to the Republican party but surely it must be obvious he isn't the only one with power in Washington. Leave the President to his chosen platform. It is an honorable one. Demand the House and Senate adopt their OWN platform and carry some of the weight for a change. Between the two bodies it isn't unreasonable to ask those that distribute our money, reign in their expenditures. Nor would either body take the personal hit on a tough immigration stance that the President would. For they would be protected by the number that comprise those bodies.

To the article-

"Social conservatives feel they are getting short shrift from the Republican National Committee’s lineup of speakers at the GOP convention in New York this year, reports the New York Times."

Be leery of the NY's motive in printing this piece.

Though it is truthful that conservatives are (so far) not among the majority of conservative speakers.

"Even though Karl Rove "emphasized the importance of turning out conservative churchgoers" who didn't vote in the numbers he expected in 2000,"

DUI release have something to do with this?

"The Bush/Cheney campaign has miffed some churchgoers with certain voter-registration tactics, including having congregations send the campaign their registries."

I do think it was a bad calculation to ask for church registries. Still, no one HAD to turn over the registry. Tell the campaign they are willing to aid his election but not sacrfice parishioners privacy. Issue over, unless people wish to leverage it for their own purpose.

"President Bush is the only visible national conservative who has "turned up his own talk of opposition to abortion and especially same-sex marriage," which is up for debate in the Senate this week."

A stance that he is largely being uncredited for, even though the courage required to take this stance isn't one a majority of private citizens would themselves take for fear of vocal reprisal.

"Moderates like McCain, Giuliani, Pataki, and Schwarzenegger will all speak in prime time at the GOP confab, but no true social conservative other than President Bush will garner precious, limited network airtime."

Zell and Cheney will have a speaking role.

"The most like-minded person with a featured speaking role is Senator Zell Miller, a Democrat from Georgia."

One, not true. Cheney will be speaking. Two, they just said no other true social conservative would speak than follow up with Zell? Sloppy journalism.

"More ominous was the warning from long time conservative activist Paul Weyrich: "I hate to say it, but... If the president is embarrassed to be seen with conservatives at the convention, maybe conservatives will be embarrassed to be seen with the president on Election Day.""

Maybe we'll all be under the rubble of 20 detonated WMD's, making election irrelevant.

Threats, do not mistake that is what this is, do not engender sympathy with me. I believe conservatives do have a right to desire another vocal conservative voice, from within the Republican party, to speak. Fight for this right with the maturity I expect from an adult. This childish rhetoric does not have the desired effect of influencing change.

"Noting the Bush backs the Constitutional amendment defining marriage as being solely between a man and woman, now being debated in the Senate, Bauer, the founder of the American Values organization, added. "We had been assured months ago that as this vote happened the president would take an active role - both publicly and on Capitol Hill. So they are keeping their word and my hat goes off to them for that.""

So far it sounds reasonable, right?

"But he told the Times, "If they are going to win the values debate - and it looks like there is going to be one - it is important for the president's words to be reinforced by other major personalities at the convention.""

Then he moves from being reasonable to absurd. In otherwords, flowery language in deference to social conservatism over a week long televised period is of more concern than daily physical and verbal action over the distance.

"Answering conservative critics, Bush campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt told the Times Sunday: "The Republican Party is a national party, and the convention lineup will reflect the broad national appeal of the Republican Party. When the speaker lineup is complete, it will reflect that.""

Admittedly a weak response until tempered by the last line. Curious of their intentions.


81 posted on 07/12/2004 7:15:17 PM PDT by Soul Seeker
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To: Howlin

What conservative is going to be speaking besides Cheney, if he speaks?


82 posted on 07/12/2004 7:17:02 PM PDT by novacation
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To: novacation

Cheney IS speaking; and so is George W. Bush, conservative Republican.

And those are just the prime time speakers.


83 posted on 07/12/2004 7:18:59 PM PDT by Howlin (John Kerry & John Edwards: Political Malpractice)
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To: Reaganwasagiant

For instance?

Pat?


84 posted on 07/12/2004 7:19:34 PM PDT by Howlin (John Kerry & John Edwards: Political Malpractice)
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Comment #85 Removed by Moderator

To: Reaganwasagiant

Why are we being cry babies here? Think about it, do you honestly think that all dems like Kerry/Edwards? No, but they understand that they must stay on point and that is how they are winning the PR war. We are too busy whining about our own pet issues that we are not focusing on the main goal and that is to win the election because we will pay a big price if we lose.


86 posted on 07/12/2004 7:21:52 PM PDT by CajunConservative (FLUSH THE JOHNS IN NOVEMBER!!! We don't need girly men.)
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To: NittanyLion
Conservative values (limited government, low taxes, self-sufficiency, pro-military, etc.) are extremely persuasive.

These are more "economic" than "social" conservative issues, though.

87 posted on 07/12/2004 7:22:41 PM PDT by malakhi
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To: Reaganwasagiant

Well, you asked for a bone, so I assumed you had someone in mind.


88 posted on 07/12/2004 7:23:11 PM PDT by Howlin (John Kerry & John Edwards: Political Malpractice)
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To: CajunConservative
we are not focusing on the main goal and that is to win the election because we will pay a big price if we lose.

Watch out now; you'll be accused of having no principles.

It's much better to lose than EVER compromise on anything, doncha know?

89 posted on 07/12/2004 7:25:00 PM PDT by Howlin (John Kerry & John Edwards: Political Malpractice)
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To: Howlin

Quess we have different definition of conservative.Bush is conservative on a few issues, like taxes, and liberal on an awful lot of issues.Sorry, but I could never call Bush a conservative.15 billion down the hole for African aids, which I don't if that ever got off the ground.Never saw a spending bill he didn't like.Couldn't care less that latin America is illegally taking over much of the country.I'll vote for the guy,only because the alternative is a nightmare.


90 posted on 07/12/2004 7:25:51 PM PDT by novacation
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To: who_would_fardels_bear

Pataki gets a spot because he's governor of New York. Would you rather have Mayor Bloomberg?


91 posted on 07/12/2004 7:26:28 PM PDT by Doohickey ("This is a hard and dirty war, but when it's over, nothing will ever be too difficult again.”)
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To: novacation

I guess we do; doesn't make me or you wrong.


92 posted on 07/12/2004 7:26:51 PM PDT by Howlin (John Kerry & John Edwards: Political Malpractice)
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To: Doohickey

I think he's speaking too..........LOL.


93 posted on 07/12/2004 7:27:09 PM PDT by Howlin (John Kerry & John Edwards: Political Malpractice)
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To: who_would_fardels_bear; wagglebee
"I'm certain that Bush and Rove have a strategy behind all of this, I just hope they're right."

Like their great strategy of looking the other way while millions of illegal aliens enter the country hoping that they will eventually vote Republican?

More like the strategy that took out an incumbent VP's bid for prez during a time of good economy and no 'perceived' foreign problems.

Unheard of until then...and they've had 4 years to learn and do it even better.

94 posted on 07/12/2004 7:27:29 PM PDT by evad (Tax Man and Tort Boy..remolding America in their image)
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To: wagglebee

Sounds to me like their weeding out left leaning Conservatives


95 posted on 07/12/2004 7:27:33 PM PDT by ATOMIC_PUNK (Most people talk a lot, few are up for the moment. Welcome to Freerepublic.com)
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To: Howlin

Okay. At least we could disagree in a civil manner. That's a new leaf for me!


96 posted on 07/12/2004 7:28:49 PM PDT by novacation
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To: NittanyLion; Howlin
On reflection, I was too categorical in my statement, and you're both right to some extent. However, I know a LOT of people in the mushy middle that don't have a clue about political philosophy. They lead shallow lives never picking up much more about politics than accidentally hits their ears.

John McCain is a cool maverick.

I loved Terminator II.

Ask these people about pending legislation or the name of the head of the FBI, and they look at you like you just came from Mars.

Preaching or enlightening them about the conservative message is pretty much futile. They're going to vote, if they vote, based largely on emotion and some sense they've picked up as to who will be better. Trotting out speaker after speaker to talk about the horrors of abortion, or scary gays, won't win them over. They're going to vote on general themes. National security, keeping more of your own money, pro-family and small business. Things that all of the Republican speakers will be strong on.

97 posted on 07/12/2004 7:29:36 PM PDT by Dog Gone
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To: novacation

And me! :-)


98 posted on 07/12/2004 7:29:41 PM PDT by Howlin (John Kerry & John Edwards: Political Malpractice)
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To: Dog Gone

I agree with you 100 percent.

I have friends in Florida and Virginia, four of them, who are school teachers and vote Democrat; I never said ONE WORD to them about Bush.

They all voted for Bush in 2000 and will again this year.

Why? Because of his education policy and the WOT. Surprised? I was!

Tonight on H&C, Alan Keyes was saying that instead of not going to the NAACP meeting, Bush should have sent HIM to explain it all to them. Imagine what THAT would have been like! I wonder sometimes what people are thinking!


99 posted on 07/12/2004 7:33:47 PM PDT by Howlin (John Kerry & John Edwards: Political Malpractice)
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To: Cicero
>>>Bush was the first president to address the annual Right to Life March on Washington.

Wrong. PresReagan started the annual telephone address to the pro-lifers assemblied on the anniversary of Roe v Wade.

100 posted on 07/12/2004 7:34:43 PM PDT by Reagan Man (.....................................................The Choice is Clear....... Re-elect BUSH-CHENEY)
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