If Donald Trump does well in tonight’s primary and caucus states, it put to rest the fevered dreams for a brokered convention and make him the all-but-certain GOP presidential nominee. And if that happens, it will signal a huge split among the evangelical right voters who are a core of the Republican base.
On the surface, Trump is the weakest possible vessel for the religious right. He’s been married three times, invested (disastrously) in casinos, and demonstrates the slimmest possible understanding of basic Christian doctrine. Yet time and again in the primaries, evangelical voters have turned out in significant numbers for him. It’s not like they don’t have other choices. Ted Cruz is a custom-built candidate for conservative Christians, leading his rallies in prayer and frequently turning to his preacher father for help on the stump.
Yet Trump has consistently cut into Cruz’s support among evangelicals.
Much as the Republican establishment has lost control of its base, the evangelical leadership is finding its flock ignores its exhortations against Trump, which is driving them crazy.
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“For some evangelicals, Christianity is no longer shaping their politics,” says Peter Wehner, a fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. “With Mr. Trump in view, their faith lies subordinate.” Russell Moore of the Southern Baptist complained in the pages of the Washington Post that voting for Trump was “deeply inconsistent with an application of the Christian faith.”
As it turns out, two things have been happening. Self-identified evangelicals are now less of a voting bloc than everyone seems to believe. A significant number have become cultural Christians, much like many non-Church going Catholics still think of themselves as Catholic. They don’t attend Church all that often, they aren’t as tied to the teachings of their pastors and they follow their own counsel.
At the same time, the religious right leadership has overplayed its hand. It’s been holding a metaphorical gun (or Bible) at the head of the Republican party for the longest time, threatening destruction if the party doesn’t follow its demands. But now it turns out, it can’t deliver on its threat of retribution at the ballot box. In short, it can’t deliver the votes.
What that means for the future isn’t clear. The mass of evangelicals are still really conservative. It’s not as if evangelicals have been flocking to Bernie Sanders instead of Ted Cruz. Instead, they chose the closest thing in American politics to Kim Jong-Un.
Perhaps that shouldn’t come as a surprise. For years, religious right leaders like Franklin Graham have been singing the praises of another strongman, Vladimir Putin. Now we have a candidate who admires Putin and seems happy to emulate him. Of course, the Bible predicted that: as you sow, so shall you reap.
joeyty
That’s another good thing about Trump. He’s driving the religious fanatics up the wall.
GC1985
Over 30% of the republican party doesn’t even want him.. Some numbers say as much as 50%. If there weren’t so many candidates running and it was a two horse race he would lose the nomination for sure.
I think he is causing the demise of the republican party. Awesome job. Blowback baby!
GC1985
@joeyty: He is a disaster like the religious fanatics. Much like you. A disaster.
joeyty
@GC1985: Like the Colombian murder rate.
Victor Barry
Good. It’s been poison for decades.
Tony Chaplinski
God I hope so
GC1985
@joeyty: Ah yes. It is Seeing Eye Dog… The troll is back with a new name. Murder rate is higher in Texas anyways.
leobaga
Damn, another biased article. I’m so disappointed in you, Queerty.
“..the closest thing in American politics to Kim Jong-Un.”
“..a candidate who admires Putin and seems happy to emulate him.”
Seriously?!
The liberals have slanted Trump’s words to fit their agenda.
Trump is personally against gay marriage but will not challenge it. He can’t overturn it even if he appoints conservative justices. It takes 2/3 vote in both Houses of Congress to pass an amendment in addition to ratification by the states. There is zero chance of an amendment. In addition, legislation cannot make something that has been ruled unconstitutional legal – period.
Trump wants to be able to verify/know what Muslims we let into this country. Most we can already do that for so it isn’t an issue. The woman in the Cal terrorist attacks social media, showed she was connected to ISIS yet we don’t check the social media of those wanting to come into this country.
Trump wasn’t talking about all Hispanics, not even all the illegals, but the unusually high percentage of illegals that cross the border that do commit violent crimes.
Look at his current wife to understand his true feelings on Hispanics, look at his employees to understand his true feeling about people that are different than himself. You will find that this spin the libs have put on his feelings, is not true in the least. He is a clown and no one thought he would still be in the race, nor winning the polls like he has been. If you are going to hate him, do so for the right reasons.
Jason Shirley
This ASS makes me sick!!!!
Hun
I’m far more worried about the rapid growth of the rabidly homophobic black and Latino populations.
GC1985
@leobaga: Trump hates anyone that isn’t white and he hires undocumented immigrants. He is lunatic and liar like you. you defend everything he does as he is a messiah. You are have screwball logic.
Your nonsense about the San Bernardino shootings compounds your ignorance. You have no idea what happened in that case. Don’t politically profit off the deaths of others and a story you know nothing about.
GC1985
@leobaga: I despise him because his policies would destroy this country and led us to a great depression. And what spin? Are you saying he is lying to the public? You are ridiculous. Get over yourself. Nobody is eating your BS here.
GC1985
And winning what polls? He gets clobbered against both Hillary and Sanders in all match up polls.
Desert Boy
Love him or hate but Trump will be the Republican nominee.
In the General, Lying Hillary has little chance to defeat him. Her numbers are lousy and she’s viewed as the Queen of the establishment.
leobaga
@Desert Boy: Finally, someone is making sense around here. Thanks, bud.
GC1985
@Desert Boy: Another one making no sense. If her numbers are so lousy, why does she lead Trump often by 7-10% in head to head match ups and has approval ratings way higher than him?
Sorry to burst your little bubble, but Hillary will beat Trump easily.
@leobaga: More like nonsense rather.
GC1985
Everybody yaps on about establishment this, establishment that… That sort of talkbonly appeals to about 20% of the electorate. Have fun falling short. Again. Hillary has always been ahead of Trump head to head. And when he attempts to attack her, he will destroy himself.
DCguy
@leobaga:
I love the Log Cabin trolls that keep coming in and lying.
In your comment you seem to indicate that Trump didn’t praise Putin. And since you always find excuses to not read links by claiming that they are liberal, where here is an article on FOX News about other candidates attacking Trump for his complimentary comments to Putin.
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/12/19/gop-candidates-slam-trump-over-putin-praise.html
If you have to lie to make your point, then what is the point?
joeyty
@GC1985: Nope. Murder is higher, per capita in the country of Colombia than in Texas. (And in California). And Colombia is the serial killer capital of the world (the top three worst).
joeyty
@leobaga: It’s John Gallagher. He’s not exactly Voltaire is he ?
joeyty
@GC1985: If you’re so sure Hillary Clinton will win, then just shut up about the subject. (Even if you were unsure…talking about it on Queerty won’t make any difference in the election).
jayj150
@leobaga: You said: “Look at his current wife to understand his true feelings on Hispanics”. Um…what?. She is eastern European, from Slovenia. How does marrying an Slovene say anything about his true feelings on Hispanics?.
And he said he wants to BAN ALL Muslims from entering the country, and he has defended his position repeatedly . I get that you support him but he said what he said, you can’t change his words.
GC1985
@joeyty: And? The crime rate is being cut rapidly through effective police and military force. You are a dumb thing. I can’t believe you’re back, SeeingEyeDog.
GC1985
@joeyty: You said I have no impact in elections.. You sure? I actually do help out and get people to vote. You troll internet websites. Go and do something dude.
leobaga
We’re rooting for you President Trump:
https://www.facebook.com/NBCNews/videos/1334227806597246/
leobaga
Legal immigrants for Trump!
http://youtu.be/bL45H26-yqY
GC1985
@leobaga: Jews for Hitler! Doctors for Stalin! Women for Saudi Arabia!
You are one big walking contradiction. If anybody cared about having a job, they wouldn’t support someone like Trump.
GC1985
@leobaga: Seig heil! Seig heil! Seig heil!
*rolleyes*
joeyty
@GC1985: No you don’t. You live on Queerty. And so what if Trump gets elected? You wouldn’t even know who’s the new President if you don’t get the news. There’ll be no change in your life whatsoever. And even if you know it won’t be enough that you’ll go back to Colombia.
joeyty
@GC1985: GianCarlo=Gays for Islam !! Why he won’t move to a Muslim country, though, is…no big surprise.
joeyty
@GC1985: Serial killer central. Anybody can look that one up. And number 2 is gay.
GC1985
@joeyty: Country will collapse. I think that will effect everyone. Anyways, are you done with your histrionics, seeingeyedog?
@joeyty: You called for violence against gay people. Go move to Syria and join Daesh. they will like you. I don’t care for terrorist supporters like you, seeing nada.
GC1985
@joeyty: That would be the USA… I think you need to be banned from here. You are on here way more than me.
joeyty
@GC1985: Okay, I’ll post a link. Just for everybody’s general education on the topic. We really have to ban you from here. We’re all tired of your hysteria.
joeyty
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_serial_killers_by_number_of_victims Look where the top three serial killers are from.
leobaga
@joeyty: bingo! I understand now cg1985’s hatred towards Trump. He’s an illegal! It’s understandable. Thanks, joeyty!
Desert Boy
@GC1985: Let’s talk again in November.
Bob LaBlah
As I knew he would the poles just closed and Trump won Florida. I bet he wins Ohio as well. Its now the ABC factor amongst republicans:
Anyone
But
Cruz.
They have no other choice but to wait until the convention and see if they can get the old eagle nosed queen (Cruz) to do the right thing and sit his ass down somewhere.
Desert Boy
Good bye Rubio Tuesday
GC1985
@joeyty: It’s SeeingEYEEEEEDOG!
It’s BACK! In a new name too… SeeingEYEDog posting his usual nonsense. TExas has more killers. End of story.
@Desert Boy: Yeah when your kind gets spanked.
@Bob LaBlah: Dems have had big turn-outs tonight and outdid the repugs in North Carolina even. You must be pooping your adult diaper right now.
Split convention could happen.
GC1985
So where are all the Bernie supporters tonight? You might still win Missouri LOL! What a spanking. I thought Ohio was gonna be 53-46% for Hillary… not 58-40% (so far). Spanking.
GC1985
@joeyty: You need to be IP Banned. So you can never even visit this site. But why do you care what happens to me? I thought you didn’t care?
Bob LaBlah
“Dems have had big turn-outs tonight and outdid the repugs in North Carolina even. You must be pooping your adult diaper right now.”
I just don’t see the connection. Don’t put your hand on your hip and stick your ass out this time when you reply trying to explain it in your fifth grade response.
joeyty
@GC1985: No, you need to be IP banned and then sent back to Colombia. Tedy Roosevelt sad he wants the U.S. to become a place of great opportunity for those with integrity, but not a flophouse for every malcontent in the world. And you fall into the latter category.
joeyty
@GC1985: Nope. Colombia. Extremely high murder rate, even aside from that country having the top three serial killers in the world. What is it with you Colombians ?
GC1985
@Bob LaBlah: Time for a change of the diaper, Big Mac LaBlah.
@joeyty: SeeingEyeDog needs to be taken to the vet for his rectal exam.
I’m a US citizen, you tool.
joeyty
@GC1985: You referred to Colombia as “my country.” So…out of all the countries in the world, how could Colombia have the top three serial killers ?? Don’t you see what an unlikely feat that is ? Is it something in the peoples’ character ? Inherent or learned ? Nature or nurture ?
GC1985
@joeyty: Your state of Texas has a serial killer that killed 800,000 people… Seeing EyeDog. What about him? He ranks up there with Idi Amin.
Tell me why do you support butchers?
I suppose you agree with Stalin when he said to kill one is a tragedy… To kill millions is a statistic.
joeyty
@GC1985: But you STILL have the top three serial killers in history ! How’d you manage that ? (And stop confusing serial killers with ruling despots).
Dakotahgeo
I apologize but I have to giggle at the fax right wing zingers on this blog who think tRUMP is beating Hillary. If anything, he is leading the Hillary family right into the White House in 2017! In fact, the faux Re/Teapublicans have been so thrifty they’ve hung themselves with the least amount of rope. Congrats, but political suicide is NOT the prettiest way to go.
Dakotahgeo
@Dakotahgeo: Correction: “…to giggle at the faux* right wing zingers….”