Churchgoers less likely to support Giuliani (but he is LEADING among them too)

Baptist Press ^ | March 15, 2007 | Michael Foust

[FairOpinion]

Although the former New York mayor leads U.S. Sen. John McCain among all categories, his lead is only seven points (31-24) among weekly churchgoers, compared to 28 points (47-19) among those who attend church nearly weekly or monthly, and 27 points (49-22) among those who seldom or never attend church.

The data, released March 15, combined two polls of Republican voters and Republican-leaning independents -- one conducted Feb. 9-11, the other March 2-4.

[freedomfiter2]

The real issue is that these folks recognize the gig is up for them if Rudy can be nominated and win despite their adament opposition.

If you really believe that, do you think Rudy can count on their votes if he gets the nomination?

[jmc813]

Because the hard core conservatives will vote for Thompson and the moderates, Independents and Middle of the Road Republicans will vote for Rudy, McCain and/or Romney. Not a good thing if you ask me. Splits the votes pretty good if you ask me.

So how do you justify your remark that it is Thompson doing the splitting and not Rudy? I'm sure you'd agree that Thompson's views are closer to the GOP platform.

[Theo]

What would you rather eat:

1) vomit
2) diarrhea
3) phlegm

If I had to choose, I'd choose phlegm. If I *had* to choose, perhaps at this point I'd choose Rudy.

[Theo]

"Splits"? You understand that there are Primaries prior to the general election, right? Splits are only relevant during the general election.

[jmc813]

Okay I'll give you that much (I understand that is important) but what did he accomplish in the Senate that makes him a good candidate to be president?

My rule of thumb is that for congressmen, the LESS they accomplish thew better. 95% of the time something comes out of congress, it ends up sucking. That's why I'm a Ron Paul fan.

[FairOpinion]

Hello!!!

Rudy withdrew from that race. Hillary beat Lazio.

[areafiftyone]

My rule of thumb is that for congressmen, the LESS they accomplish thew better. 95% of the time something comes out of congress, it ends up sucking.

On that you and I are in agreement. Jeeze then why do we have them? LOL!

[areafiftyone]

EWWWW! ts a bit tooooooo early in the morning for that one!

[LS]

1) If anything, I'm Assembly of God. I think they are "conservatives."

2) Currently I attend a "seeker" church, but I was raised Southern Baptist. I think they are "conservative."

3) My son attended a Seventh Day Adventist school until last year. I think they are "conservative."

4) No, Ohio is not conservative---but we have recent polls showing Rudy doing VERY well in North Carolina and Alabama. Now, it's damn sure it's not the Buddhists who are telling pollsters they support him there.

You are in denial of the polls, which we saw in 2006 were dead on. I learned not to doubt them---they aren't infallible, but when ALL of them say the same thing, they most likely are telling us something.

[LS]

I agree on the county organization. That's why in my first post I said that I know MANY committed pro-life people (we're talking charter members of RTL groups) who have told me if Rudy is the candidate they'll vote for him.

Moreover, this business of "not knowing a person's positions" is, I think, a dodge. In fact, most of these pro-life people INDEED know Rudy's position and don't care if he can beat Hillary. And, we have poll after poll showing that some of these issues no longer have the clout they used to. We can deny it, but sometimes true is true.

Finally, I've stated many times that what people on the right are looking for is a FIGHTER. Right now, Rudy is perceived as that fighter. If someone else comes along, fine, but so far Newt ain't doin' it; and certainly Romney, by immediately backing off Coulter, didn't help himself. Fred Thompson, on the other hand, immediately came out and said Bush ought to pardon Libby. THIS is what people want, and even if they only get it on the 30% of the issues they agree with Rudy (or anyone else) on, they will be thrilled that SOMEONE will fight for something on our side. Republicans overlook this at their own peril.

[LS]

You make good points. I share your concern that Algore is the ONE Dem who can win, largely, I think, out of a "sympathy factor" from 2000 among moderates and a rabid allegiance from the moveon people.

However, I want to see some polls when/if Fred Thompson gets serious. I have a feeling he can beat Gore. He has that "One Tennessean vs. Another" thing going, too. But, as I say, the key issue I'm seeing is that our side wants a FIGHTER. At least that moron Gore FIGHTS for his idiotic idea.

[Ragnar54]

Rudy withdrew because he knew he would lose.

[Halgr]

If Rudy wins....to me its the same as Hillary winning.

But I know a heck of a lot a Born Again Christians that are either going to vote for Duncan or Fred.

I also think that there are many conservatives out there that are ignorant of where Rudy really stands....and I don't trust the polls this early. So much is going to happen to change things between now and then.

[MonTinaGirl]

Real Born-Again Evangelicals can't and won't support Rudy....

I am a "Real Born-Again Evangelical" and I support Rudy. How stupid does someone have to be to install Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama as Commander in Chief of our troops in a time of war? Give me Rudy any day.

[LS]

I will vote for the most conservative candidate who has a realistic chance of winning. In the primary, if Duncan Hunter is there, and it won't throw the nomination to someone like McLame, I'll vote DH.

But if it's Rudy in the general, this born again evangelical will have no problem whatsoever voting for Rudy. I hope it's Fred Thompson, but I will gleefully vote for Rudy. And he's NOT the same as Hillary. (I thought we learned that lesson in 1992?)

[justshutupandtakeit]

We are speaking of a small minority here. Only 30-35% of the population is conservative and only about 10% of them are Ultra conservative (3-3.5% of total). Half of the latter group would not vote for Rudy or any of the likely nominees. These are what I have called the <2%ers who say the same thing every election and many of whom do not vote Republican in any case.

Any defections will be outweighed 3 or 4 to one by those who would not be frightened off by the "extremists" which the media claims runs the GOP.

[Halgr]

For me the real issue isn't political, but Spiritual...America has been heading for the left since Reagan...

I'm truely saddened to see Christians sell out their Faith.

But the Left has been in this war a long time and they are starting to reap the benefits of our schools and courts being infiltrated.

I think its really too late for America....when christians vote for the lesser of two evils.

Fortunately, the people and churches I know...don't represent what I am seeing here at Freepers....so there is still hope

I will vote for Duncan or Fred....or if I have to....I will write them in.

[MonTinaGirl]

Well, I can separate the spiritual and the political to some degree, particularly when it comes to the practical survival of our nation in war.

I'm not perfect. Neither is Rudy. But I'm not voting for a pastor, I'm voting for someone who can navigate the waters through the most important issue our country faces right now. If we're all dead, none of the other ones matter.

[garv]

Moreover, this business of "not knowing a person's positions" is, I think, a dodge. In fact, most of these pro-life people INDEED know Rudy's position and don't care if he can beat Hillary. And, we have poll after poll showing that some of these issues no longer have the clout they used to. We can deny it, but sometimes true is true.

You say you trust the validity of polls, but then disregard the polls demonstrating that there is widespread lack of knowledge of Giuliani's positions. Every poll in which the question was asked has shown a large percentage of Republican voters either misidentify or do not know his positions on abortion, guns, and gays.

[mkjessup]

What makes Thompson so good for president - what did he do in the Senate that was wonderful and was so Reaganesque that you guys are drooling over him? CO-SPONSOR McCAIN FEINGOLD?? Do you like his accomplishments in the Senate or his character on TV? Just curious.

Just to refresh my memory A51, what is your position on McCain-Feingold?