Evangelicals for McCain?

01-30-2008

Maybe we were asking the wrong question all the time. Remember when Rudy Giuliani got into the race and Evangelicals were asked whether they could support him? Of course some said yes because of his tough on terrorism talk. But with Rudy gone, the question now is will Evangelicals support John McCain? Maybe more to the point is just how many in this crucial voting block will come out for him in a General Election if he's the nominee?

Some Evangelicals are wary of McCain because of either his role in the gang of 14 judges deal, campaign finance reform, support for embryonic stem cell research, doesn't support a federal marriage amendment or they just don't forget the 'agents of intolerance" remark back in 2000.

Yet if you actually look at his overall record, you can make a case for him too. Solid pro-life record, solid on supporting conservative judges over the years, and maybe, most important in this day and age, he says he will lead the fight against radical Islam. This is a very important point that shouldn't be overlooked. Here's what he told me in my interview with him this past week:

"I really believe the majority of our religious conservatives are more concerned than anybody else about the threat of radical Islamic extremism. They know what an evil this is. They know what a threat it is to everything we stand for and believe in. So I believe I can appeal to those large numbers of conservatives who I think I can prove am best able to confront that evil."

Here's what he told me about judges:

"I will only appoint or nominate judges who have a clear record. Not statements but a clear record of strictly interpreting the Constitution of the United States. We all know there's been legislating from the bench that has harmed, or I think, threatened some of the fundamentals of the constitutional role of the judiciary."

Look, I get it. I know some just don't trust the guy and people like former Senator Rick Santorum believe he was a real thorn in the side of Republican leadership at times. But Evangelicals are going to have to really evaluate what matters most to them and whether McCain fits the bill. I'm sure McCain wouldn't want it any other way.

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