Reply #8: NAT: Evangelical voters more jaded in 2006 [View All]

[freedomfries]

Evangelical voters more jaded in 2006

Rose French, AP
Edge Boston
September 23, 2006
Thanks livvy!
203 articles on the subject this week-end

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ci=108&ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=15125

Christian conservatives, traditionally a reliable Republican constituency, aren’t necessarily a GOP gimme this time around. There is an undercurrent of concern that some evangelicals, unhappy that the GOP-led Congress and President Bush haven’t paid more attention to same-sex marriage and other "values" issues, may stay home on Election Day or even vote Democratic.

"Conservative Christians are somewhat disenchanted with Republicans," said Kenyn Cureton, vice president for convention relations with the executive committee of the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation’s largest Protestant denomination with nearly 16 million members. Religious conservatives are unhappy the Republican-led Congress hasn’t paid enough attention to "values issues," he said, noting that even a push this summer against same-sex marriage came too late.

"It has not escaped our notice that they waited until just a few months from the November elections to address our agenda," Cureton said.

Jonathan Gregory, 38, a deacon at Grace Baptist Church in Bethpage, Tenn., said he may not vote GOP this fall, even though he considers himself a Republican and has voted for President Bush. "I will vote conservative across the board, depending on the candidates’ stance on abortion, gay marriage, and their support of the military," Gregory said.

http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ci=108&ch=news&sc=glbt&sc2=news&sc3=&id=15125