Religion, Nationalism, and Terror

Dobson has made this threat before, but Christian Right strategists like Ralph Reed know that the only way they can achieve any of their goals is by remaining in the GOP. If conservative evangelicals voted in large numbers for a third party, they would simply be helping to elect the Democratic nominee. That said, most Christian conservatives will vote against Giuliani in southern and western primaries and many will refuse to vote for him if he is the GOP candidate even if this means helping Hillary Clinton become the next president.

James Dobson, The Values Test,New York Times, October 4, 2007

REPORTS have surfaced in the press about a meeting that occurred last Saturday in Salt Lake City involving more than 50 pro-family leaders. The purpose of the gathering was to discuss our response if both the Democratic and Republican Parties nominate standard-bearers who are supportive of abortion. Although I was neither the convener nor the moderator of the meeting, I’d like to offer several brief clarifications about its outcome and implications.

After two hours of deliberation, we voted on a resolution that can be summarized as follows: If neither of the two major political parties nominates an individual who pledges himself or herself to the sanctity of human life, we will join others in voting for a minor-party candidate. Those agreeing with the proposition were invited to stand. The result was almost unanimous.

The other issue discussed at length concerned the advisability of creating a third party if Democrats and Republicans do indeed abandon the sanctity of human life and other traditional family values. Though there was some support for the proposal, no consensus emerged.