Evangelical Conservatives Say Republicans 'Must Do More'
Prominent Christian conservatives warned Republicans that they must keep their campaign promises to ''core values voters'' if they seek positive results from the upcoming elections.
WASHINGTON – Prominent Christian conservatives warned Republicans that they must keep their campaign promises to ''core values voters'' if they seek positive results from the upcoming 2006 midterm elections.
“Our polling shows that many values voters are disappointed that the issues that brought them to the voting booth remain unaddressed by Congress,” said Tony Perkins, head of the Washington, D.C.-based Family Research Council. “They are ready for action.”
Support from the conservative evangelical voting bloc played a critical role in determining President Bush’s two election victories. Their votes also helped Republicans land majority seats in both congressional branches.
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At a press briefing in Washington Thursday, prominent evangelical leaders told republican politicians that they “must do more” to address values-voters concerns or risk losing their greatest constituency.
According to a National Omnibus Riehle-Tarrance Poll released at the briefing yesterday, about 63 percent of evangelical respondents said they felt “Congress has not kept their promises to act on a pro-family agenda.” Furthermore, 75 percent of evangelical respondents said they will likely vote for a candidate who pushes for values issues relating to marriage, abortion and gambling. The poll of 1,000 adults was taken last weekend, and about 41 percent of respondents were self-described evangelical Christians.
Thursday’s press conference was the first of a series of events that will lead up to a “values voter summit” in Washington this September. Top conservative Christian groups, such as Focus on the Family, the Family Research Council, and the American Family Association, are sponsoring the summit and are planning to rally thousands of their grass-roots supporters to action.
"Values voters are geared up for the 2006 and 2008 elections and the Washington Briefing will educate and equip them for action,” Perkins wrote in a statement. “…Values voters want change in America and this event will allow leaders to make their case to values voters."
