CBN's David Brody has some advice for John McCain from former Christian Coalition executive director Ralph Reed about winning over skeptical evangelicals:
First, he should choose a running mate with strong conservative credentials, both on social issues and economic issues. Then he should adopt a conservative platform at the convention, and run a general election campaign that sounds conservative themes on taxes, terrorism, and values. If he does those things, he should be able to unite the party. If not, it will be difficult to rally the grassroots and win a highly competitive, close race in November."
God-o-Meter's follow up for Reed: any suggestions for McCain's veep pick? Sure, Huck's doing phenomenally well among evangelicals, but the anti-tax crowd and Rush Limbaugh, along with some anti-immigration advocates, can't stand him. Has the GOP replaced the Democrats as the party so beholden to assorted special interest groups that no one can satisfy them all?
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I think that social conservatives believe that if you are pro-life and pro-marriage amendment, then you are conservative no matter what your record was on taxes and spending or how much populism you spew.
There are any number of social and fiscal conservatives to choose from so there's no reason to put Huckabee on the short list. The only question is if McCain wants to please the base or not.
Sounds very self serving on Ralph's part.
I understand how you can see it that way, Brian, but I was actually surprised Reed was so optimistic about McCain's chances with values voters. It's well known there there's no love lost between Reed and McCain, who led the Senate Indian Affairs Committee investigations into ex-superlobbyist Jack Abramoff, including Reed's work for him. More on that here.
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