Danforth urges Republicans to end Christian right's influence

[ck4829]

Is the Christian right the Republican Party's real political base or have conservative Christians taken over the GOP, forcing the party to meet their demands?

For former Missouri Sen. John Danforth, the answer became clear when the Republican-controlled Congress intervened in the case of Terri Schiavo, the brain-damaged Florida woman who died after her husband won the right to remove her feeding tube.

"The effort to keep Terri Schiavo alive artificially became a religious crusade and Republicans in Washington responded to a core constituency, even though it meant abandoning traditional Republican philosophy," Danforth writes in his new book, "Faith and Politics: How the 'Moral Values' Debate Divides America and How to Move Forward Together."

Danforth, an ordained Episcopal priest and a lifelong Republican who represented Missouri for 18 years in the Senate, argues that the religious right has focused its agenda on divisive issues that polarize Americans and create a stalemate in government.

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/politics/15529052.htm

Republicans demand NO INVESTIGATIONS into their activities

[Warpy]

1. That party is between a rock and a hard place and I find it

absolutely delicious. They're losing their traditional base because they've allowed the religious lunatics far too much power within the party. If they try to curb that power to attract the traditional base back, they'll lose a large, automatic voting bloc they don't have to spend a dime to woo.

It's getting to the point they can no longer stall either side. The lunatics want their entire social agenda, and they want it yesterday. The base wants an end to the lunacy, period, and a return to the party of stodginess, predictability, and fiscal responsiblity.

It's going to be fun to watch.

[BootinUp]

2. I still remember

his work helping Bush during the 2000 election. Seems he has seen a little light, but the damage has been done.

[rodeodance]

3. I am no fan of Danforth-his dissing of Anita hill really is my beef with

him (and standing up for the likes of Clarence Thomas for SC)--yet, I am glad to see him on this crusade. and I say crusade because he has had other aticles to this effect.


Good for him.

[AlinPA]

4. He is calling for elimination of the republican party. They exist only

because of the the religious right and their intolerant hate-filled associates. They are elected because those people are more zealous than we are when it comes to voting. They are currently proving by their vote (hopefully for not much longer) that hate is a stronger motivator than tolerance, peace and love in America. We will regain America.

[filer]

5. Danforth is clearly out-of-step with his party.

So why does he wish to remain a Republican? Does he feel there's hope for reform? The Democrats can hardly seem too liberal. As a party, we gave up that mantle long ago. Yes, he could fit right in as a "centrist" Democrat today. Give it up, John. Your party is a lost cause.

[enough]

6. As I recall, Danforth appointed himself as the unofficial sponsor of

Clarence Thomas as SCOTUS nominee. He didn't just support him, he lead the way. I wonder how he feels about that now. Danforth and Specter both hold a heavy weight of responsibility for this.