How the Christian right could defeat Rudy — and make Hillary president
October 20, 2007 Christian Right and GOP No Comments
Alex Koppelman, The Christian right vs. Giuliani | Salon News, October 19, 2007
Appearing on Fox News’ “Hannity & Colmes” shortly after news of the first meeting to discuss the possibility of a third-party candidacy in the event of Giuliani’s nomination, James Dobson, head of Focus on the Family, stood up strongly against co-host Sean Hannity, who noted that a third-party conservative challenge could produce a Clinton presidency. Questioned about the impact a Clinton administration would have on the courts, compared with Giuliani’s promises to appoint judges who would be acceptable to social conservatives, Dobson was dismissive. “It will be terrible, Sean,” Dobson said of the possibility that Hillary Clinton could make appointments to the Supreme Court. “But you’re taking Rudy’s word on his intention to appoint strict constructionists to the Supreme Court, and I would like to remind you that he has a terrible record in New York of appointing judges.”
In an interview with Salon, Janet Folger, the president of Faith2Action, said she didn’t support the idea of a third-party run, preferring former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who she believes will win the Republican nomination and the presidency. However, she warned that it’s her belief that even without a third candidate in the mix the nomination of either Giuliani or Mitt Romney would guarantee Republican defeat in the general election. “Hillary et al. will have an activated, motivated base, while our people at most will go pull a lever, then go home and take a shower,” Folger said. “They won’t do the heavy lifting necessary, and everyone involved in politics knows that it’s the pro-lifers who hammer in the signs and man the phone banks. We’re the ones who are most highly motivated because we’re the ones who want to stop the killing.”