The Brody File has been told that there are plans underway to organize a “Faith Moms” rally for Sarah Palin when she takes on Senator Biden at the October 2nd debate in St. Louis. The McCain camp is not behind it. It’s being organized by a couple of unnamed (for now) Evangelical groups.
We’ve heard a lot of talk about “hockey moms” ever since Sarah Palin entered the race. And yes, Palin is attracting these strong, Independent fierce, “pit bulls with lipstick” for sure. But the enthusiasm and the “get out of your seats and do something” spirit looks to be coming from what we may want to call “Bible Study Moms”.
These moms are the millions across this country who are ecstatic that McCain picked a strong Christian woman as his running mate. These are the moms who go to their Bible studies in the middle of the week and send in checks to places like Concerned Women for America and other Christian organizations. Finally, these women will proclaim that we have our Hillary Clinton. These moms (who consider themselves politically astute) probably were not all that motivated to vote for McCain before Palin but now are jazzed and telling friends.
Obama has quite a bit of enthusiasm and tons of volunteers. Can these "Bible Study Moms" mobilize fervently for McCain now? Some may volunteer physically but in "Bible Study Mom" land it's also all about the email circulating and word of mouth. That's powerful when it comes to getting out to vote. By the way let me make perfectly clear that Palin is reasonating with more than just Christian women but the point here is that this key group is now much more energized.
Evangelical leader, Reverend Patrick Mahoney, tells me the following:
It's fascinating what is going between Palin and these "Faith Moms." It is not something that is being hyped by the media or being manufactured by the campaigns. There is a true, honest, sincere bonding that is going on that is quite extraordinary. Politics these days is so orchestrated it comes as a breath of fresh air when something completely unexpected breaks on the scene. They sense that she is one of them and for the first time understands their struggles and hopes.
I was just talking with a leading republican activist and organizer from Bedford, New Hampshire and she was saying how Palin has changed the dynamic of the race overnight. This woman, Shannon, has four children her husband is affluent and all her female friends are talking about Palin. In my own house, my wife and daughter got tickets to see Palin in Northern Virginia. That is something they have never done before.
A good friend, who owns a business in Virginia, got up at 6:00 A.M. with here daughter to see Palin. These are professional women, well educated women, stay at home moms, who have been captured by the Palin Mystique. Most of these women, all women of faith, have never gone to a political rally before and I think this kind of energy will translate into votes and passion this November.
Are you one of these “Bible Study Moms”? The Brody File would love to hear from you.