GOP base scales back its wish list

January 4, 2006

After the 2004 election, the religious right took credit for Republican gains and was ready to cash in their chips. Especially in light of the GOP’s 55-45 majority in the Senate, 2005 was going to be the watershed year in which they could finally score the legislative victories they’ve wanted for years. James Dobson and his cohorts thought they could, at a minimum, get votes on a constitutional amendment on gay marriage, abortion restrictions, maybe some Ten Commandments and school prayer provisions thrown in for good measure.

Nothing went according to plan. The religious right got the vote they wanted on Terri Schiavo, and nothing else. And with 2006 being an election year that seems to be leaning in the Dems’ favor, the far-right Republican base isn’t expecting much — and isn’t even asking for much.

“We decided a couple of religious-discrimination issues would be at the top of our agenda,” said Jim Backlin, legislative director for the Christian Coalition. Among them are an effort to force cable companies to carry all local signals, particularly those of religious broadcasters, on their systems and one to support the use of Jesus’ name in military chaplains’ prayers.

That’s it? In 2005, religious conservatives wanted to amend the Constitution. In 2006, they want local signals on cable TV?

I also wonder how this fits into the far-right’s GOTV efforts for the midterm elections. Leaders of the religious right groups frequently say they need to score a few legislative victories to get the grassroots activists fired up for Election Day. Somehow I doubt “Vote Republican — because they slightly changed your cable line-up” is going to inspire anyone.

I am sure the Repubs in Congress we find a way for the “damned liberals” to vote down amendments regarding flag burning, gay marriage, and the pledge of alliegence in September or October.

  • This is an informative post, CB–thanks. It changed my thinking about the religious right.

    If the religious right had reacted to this major policy setback by blasting the GOP and abandoning them for this betrayal, then I would have believed that they were genuinely an independent special interest group.

    I’ve suspected this for a while, but with this reaction it is clear that they are simply the religious arm of the GOP. That is, no more than an appendage–hell, why not say ’employees’ of the Party. After all, employees do not dare question their superiors. Further, this means that those people who give money to Robertson and Falwell are in effect making political contributions to the GOP, and not even contributing toward whatever insane ideas the religious right always blathers on about. Because, when the chips are down, the religious right puts loyalty to the GOP over commitment to their supposed fundamental principles.

  • Andy,

    That would be true if the “Religious Right” represented religious interests. But as Mr. Flibble rightly points out, the “RR” is simply another arm of the GOP fronting as a religious group. So basically, they are concerned first and foremost with lining their own pockets.

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