The Republican nomination The silence of the right

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http://www.economist.com/node/18712321

THE court ruling that made abortion legal in America is an “abomination”, Rick Santorum, a former senator now running for the Republican nomination for president, assured anti-abortion activists in Pennsylvania this week. Meanwhile, in Minnesota Newt Gingrich, a newly-declared candidate, was trying to convince sceptical Christians that it was possible to believe in God and science at the same time. Both he and Michele Bachmann, a congresswoman and potential candidate, spoke at the annual dinner of the Minnesota Family Council, whose mission is “to strengthen the families of Minnesota by advancing biblical principles in the public arena”. Running for president will not be easy, Mrs Bachmann admits, but “If this is something the Lord has called us to, he will make a way where there is no way.”

Early appeals to “values voters” are a normal part of the campaign for the Republican nomination. Evangelical Christians dominate the Republican electorate in several states with early primaries or caucuses, including Iowa and South Carolina. Populist religious candidates, such as Pat Buchanan and Mike Huckabee, have put in strong showings in the past. Yet Mr Huckabee, despite a second- or third-place finish in 2008 (depending on how you count) and a lead in some early polls this time around, declared he would not join the race on May 14th (see picture). That leaves no clear standard-bearer for the religious right. (The most godless candidate, Donald Trump, a former casino mogul, also ducked out of the race this week.)

[Ship of Fools]

1. i know this is hardly a new thought,

but we're sure living in REALLY bizarro times when Gingrich actually says some pretty sane shit.

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2. ain't that the truth. nt