Christian Coalition losing chapters
By DAVID CRARY, AP National Writer
Wed Aug 23, 6:11 PM ET
Three disgruntled state affiliates have severed ties with the Christian Coalition of America, one of the nation's most powerful conservative groups during the 1990s but now buffeted by complaints over finances, leadership and its plans to veer into nontraditional policy areas.
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The coalition, which claims more than 2 million members, was founded in 1989 by religious broadcaster Pat Robertson and became politically powerful under Executive Director Ralph Reed before he left in 1997. Robertson, who turned over the presidency to Combs in 2002, has been criticized for provocative public statements, while Reed lost an election in Georgia last month after being linked to disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
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Backlin insisted, however, that the coalition remained influential among conservatives in Congress.
"Many of the congressional offices always look for Christian Coalition support right away when trying to get their bosses' legislation passed," he said.
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"They've been in free-fall ever since," said Peter Montgomery of the liberal group People for the American Way. "It's not surprising that local affiliates want to distance themselves from this floundering organization."
Steve Scheffler, who led the breakaway of the coalition's Iowa chapter in March, blamed Combs herself for much of the friction, saying she didn't treat the heads of the state affiliates with respect.
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"The sooner the organization goes completely away, the better," he added. "They're a total disgrace."
more...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060823/ap_on_el_ge/christian_coalition
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