Can Rudy Convert The Christian Right?

If "Values Voters" Don't Opt For GOP Front-Runner, Their Only Other Choice May Be Hillary

(CBS)  By CBS News senior political correspondent Jeff Greenfield.

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Maybe it's the right place for a Biblical metaphor: At this weekend's gathering of Christian conservatives, the highlight was something right out of Daniel entering the lion's den, only this Daniel is named Rudy.

Giuliani, who leads all Republicans in the seriously premature presidential polling despite liberal views on abortion and gay rights, came to the Family Research Council's "values voters" summit to argue that he was, if not their natural ally, more friend than foe.

"You have nothing to fear from me," he said.

But the question is, does Giuliani have something to fear from them? Ever since Ronald Reagan's 1980 campaign, evangelicals - nearly a fourth of the total electorate - have formed a key component of the GOP base, delivering two-thirds of their votes to GOP Presidential candidates, all of whom have embraced the anti-abortion cause. A Republican nominee must have their backing to win the White House.

But what could a pro-choice, pro-gay rights former Mayor of New York possibly say here that would lead these ardent social conservatives to go with him? Maybe it's less what he says that who he is … and isn't?

Yes, he backed the ban on partial-birth abortions, promised to appoint Supreme Court justices like conservative icons Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas (both committed to overturning Roe v. Wade), and hit tried-and-tested grace notes for the faithful:

"The Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, not freedom from religion," was one.

The response suggested Giuliani had made some headway here.

"Yes, I was impressed," one said. "I liked a lot of what he said."

Though the Family Research Council's leader, Tony Perkins, warns that for his constituency, abortion is non negotiable: "This is the key issue. Giuliani did himself some good here but he has a long way to go."

But for some here, it's what Giuliani did on September 11th, and in eight years as mayor, that is at the core of his Presidential hopes. He was, at least symbolically, the American face standing up to the terror attacks, and he paints his years as Mayor of New York as the triumph of conservative ideas in the heartland of liberalism.

But can Giuliani really convert these activists to his side?

Clearly their hearts and souls were elsewhere this weekend. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won the gathering's straw poll, his Mormon faith and one-time liberal stands on abortion and gay rights not withstanding. Romney barely edged out former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who bluntly warned Republicans not to embrace pro-choice heresy.

"I don't want ever for us to allow expedience or electability to replace our principles as the new value," Huckabee told the crowd. "I do not spell G-O-D, G-O-P."

But it well may be that next year, there is one political force more powerful than anything Giuliani can say that might persuade reluctant conservatives to embrace his candidacy: the specter of the possible alternative, Hillary Clinton.

[gunownerdan]

"A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand, they do less easily move against him, believing that he has the gods on his side." Aristotle - 343 B.C.

[gunownerdan]

Rudy Giuliani: "You have nothing to fear from me"
I can imagine Adolf Hitler said something similar to the Jews in the 1930''s.

[hwy71so]

I''d be willing to bet this''ll be my first year to vote "Other" in regard to party.

Someone enlighten me about Ron Paul. So far, I''ve only heard what he''s against. Opposing doesn''t cause growth.

[sftodd]

Posted by chucktruck2 at 11:04 PM : Oct 22, 2007

Still searching, but can''t seem to find your point. Could you help a brother out?

[chucktruck2]

WAKE UP AND SMELL THE POSTUM... PROLIFERS have voted for 30 years for prolife ... even for Carter... GO FIGURE... Do not play these cards... you will lose...Do you want the FIRST PERSON to use interns as ashtrays?...Or Hillary interning in the Whitehouse... we had better unite..."Evangelicals for Mitt"... or... "Elect Romney in 2008" if that is your cup of red zinger... Rudy will not survive ... The MSM is giveing us KOOL AID... Sean wants Rudy...Chris wants Obama......foresight tells me Hillary VS Mitt

[sftodd]

The Christian Right is neither.

So primary that it is an absolutely reliable criterion of truth.

[dmgenet]

The religious right have every right for feeling a bit gunshy about politics and politicians. Bush and his team shanghaied them and used them like a slave. All they got was corruption, a lot of wind from both ends, and inept leaders. Their kingdom in not of this earth and it appears they had to learn that all over again.

[sftodd]

Ron Paul is a schizophrenic nutcase who wants to get rid of the IRS and who claims to be pro-liberty while denying equal protection under the law for g_a_y Americans and denying a woman''s right to choose. At least the rest of his party is coherent: blind, unapologetic greed and hatemongering. You may not agree, but at least you understand their logic and what motivates them: money, power and control over the ignorant masses who are stupid enough to vote for them.

[savetheus2]

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[gunownerdan]

Rudy and Hitlery are both CFR members and prostitutes for big money. If we elect them don''t expect a thing to change.