Will the Christian Right form a separate political party after Bush loses?

[jdj]

Do they have the numbers to have an effect on future elections? When Bush loses, I think it will be painfully obvious to so-called "fiscal conservatives" that they have gone too far, and they will distance themselves from religious radicals, who have become more and more demanding (re Novacula). Do you think the xtian right will stand for it now that they have tasted the power they have, and if they do, could they throw elections to us in the future by splitting off the republican vote, or will they just threaten to do this and continue to keep traditional conservatives in a vise-grip?

[jeff30997]

1. If they split the republican vote, i would die a happy man.

[demosincebirth]

3. A Nader effect on the repugs, but...

big time!

[jdj]

13. They may just threaten too.

Right now they are being used by the Rove's of the party, but what happens when they gain enough power and influence to grab the inner workings by the short hairs? Will the fiscal conservatives go libertarian??

I see tons of conflict in the works; especially if they do steal the election. If we don't get congress back and impeach him, then the old conservative guard will have to defect and try to re-organize. We may well end up with another third party, which would make me tremendously happy.

[Bush was AWOL]

2. I want to see the portion of politics

that includes the Christian right removed forever. I have no problem with traditional conservatives, but these Neo-cons/religious right people must be defeated now and forever.

[AwakeAtLast]

4. If they do it

it will have a reaction to the religious world of Martin Luther separating from the Catholic Church. I for one will not align myself religiously with a group of people that would makes politics religious doctrine.

[Nite Owl]

5. I can't understand why they

are still there. I mean people like Senators Chafee, Snow and Collins for example just don't belong in the Republican party the way that is now. All I can imagine is that the right has something on them.

[Old and In the Way]

8. I agree....Snowe/Collins are my Senators.

Snowe, in particular, is far closer to a Kerry Democrat than a Bush Republican. But I suspect John McKernan, her husband and ex-Gov., must be pretty connected to this administration in Washington.

[Old and In the Way]

6. Hoping to see the implosion start next week.

It will be a funeral-coronation of their Misleader-in-Chief. I we're luky, Bush will have a complete and irreversible breakdown during his acceptance speech. It ought to be a real fun party....

[Cobia]

7. Constitution Party

They already got one

[NEOBuckeye]

9. Interesting. I think it's entirely possible.

Bush's defeat in November and the subsequent demolition of the Congressional GOP Majority in 2006 is going to lead to some hard questions being asked among Republican party leaders. Voter rejection of the extremist, neo-conservative, christian-zealot reactionary right will likely lead to more moderate, mainstream leadership -- probably from Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and other decidedly more moderate influences ideologically similar to these men. Right wing Christians, overwhelmingly dissatisfied with the party's direction could move to form their own party -- the "Christian Republicans", or "Conservative Christian Party", which could be influencial/detrimental to the Republicans in a very similar manner that the Green Party helps/hurts the Dems.

Maybe they'll push for reforms such as IRV and proportional representation? Hard to believe now, but may be more open to these changes if it means broader representation in govt. Not that I'm pulling for them or anything. But I would love to see winner-take-all totally abolished.

[sleepystudent]

10. guh!...

stop thinking about what will happen after the election! It hasn't happened yet! It's two and a half months away and it's close and anything could happen! It's not in the bag and threads like this encourage inactivity! Stop!

[mr_binklesworth]

11. Lordy, I hope so...

I need some comedy relief.

[newyawker99]

16. Hi mr_binklesworth!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[K-W]

12. This coalition of the dispicable survived 8 years of clinton.

I wont believe it will break until I see it.

[camero]

14. Probably

They will come to be known as the Christian Right Alliance Party or CRAP.

If the shoe fits.

[ithacan]

15. no. and here's why:

The "Christian" right controls the GOP at the local level in many places, and is basically in charge at the national, Congressional level.

They have strong influence in 18 state GOP organizations, and moderate influence in another 26. For an article describing this go here: http://www.theocracywatch.org/campaigns_elections_study.htm

For a chart of Christian right influence in state GOP organizations, taken from that article, go here: http://www.theocracywatch.org/state_charts.htm

In addition, EVERY SINGLE GOP Congressional leader is a Christian right person, with 100 percent rating from the fundies:

Do you know these people? They are the seven highest ranking Republican Senators in the U.S. Senate.

Every one of them received a scorecard of 100% from Christian Coalition.

That means they voted with Christian Coalition 100% of the time.

How were people representing such an extreme ideological point of view elected to the top positions in the Republican Party?

The leaders of the Republican Party were chosen by their colleagues.
<more...>
http://www.theocracywatch.org/index.html

In other words, the Christian right is firmly ensconced in enough of the GOP that it will not be able to be ejected...