"ValueVoters" - Will they hold their nose and vote?

The Family Research Council (and Focus on the Family) held their big "Value Voters Summit" in Washington, DC over the weekend. The Summit has replace the practically defunct Christian Coalition's "Rode to Victory Conference" that was, for so many years, the cornerstone of the evangelical political movement.

With the Christian Coalition struggling, FRC has jumped in to establish itself as the preeminent "decider" for evangelical voters who believe abortion and same-sex marriage are more important issues than health care, education or the war in Iraq.

Now that the Summit has ended, the big question remains --"Will evangelicals hold their nose and vote?"

The New York Times reports:

After an earnest appeal for acceptance from Rudolph W. Giuliani, Christian conservatives ended their two-day summit here Saturday still divided about which of the Republican presidential candidates to marshal their collective might behind.

Mitt Romney edged out Mike Huckabee in the straw poll at the Values Voter Summit. But questions were raised about the way the voting was conducted — votes were permitted to be cast online as far back as August — and even top leaders said there did not appear to be any consensus.

“I don’t think the question is anywhere close to settled,” said Gary L. Bauer, an influential Christian conservative leader and former Republican candidate himself in 2000. “I think it’s going to play out over the next several months.”

Bauer urged the crowd to reject the idea of a third party, but James Dobson has indicated if the Republicans nominate Giuliani he will urge his supporters to back a third party candidate.

It also never ceases to amaze me how oppressed this group feels. Bush has given them two US Supreme Court Justices, one the Chief Justice. They have enjoyed direct access to Republican leadership in Congress -- yet the faithful still somehow feel their voice is not being heard. Geezz

Mike Huckabee was the clear favorite of those attending the Summit, while he and Mitt were in a virtual tie in the overall straw polling. (click image to enlarge)

When you compare "Value Voters" numbers with other polls, it doesn't look good for them.

And with the last few elections being decided by only a few percentage points, losing the evangelical vote could spell disaster for the Republican party. One can only hope!

Summit organizers certainly gave Giuliani time to make his case.

Mr. Giuliani spoke for about 40 minutes, twice his allotted time. The response was gracious and even warm, despite his own acknowledgment that members of the audience probably had serious differences with him. Nevertheless, he highlighted his willingness to be forthright and cast himself as more principled than his primary opponents, insisting he would not bend and sway to the political winds.

Mr. Giuliani took a thinly veiled shot at his rival, Mr. Romney, whose campaign has been vigorously courting social conservatives but has battled skepticism about his authenticity.

“Isn’t it better that I tell you what I really believe, instead of pretending to change all of my positions to fit the prevailing winds?” Mr. Giuliani asked, drawing murmurs of approval and applause from the audience.

It's going to be a long time until November 2008!