Speaking of Pew data... let's look at the Religious-Right

[Essene]

Contrary to Palin's theocratic shift to the Ultra-Right and the desperation of the neo-nativist Culture Warriors, http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=334">there is growing support to keep religion out of politics.



Dear GOP,

THE MAJORITY OF YOUR PARTY FEEL RELIGION SHOULD BE KEPT OUT OF POLITICS. Read the memo.



http://pewforum.org/docs/?DocID=339">In fact, the fundie wedge issues have less and less currency.

The evangelicals want a broader agenda, especially younger evangelicals.



Both before Palin and after Palin, the white evangelical support remains consistent with the trend seen in 2000 and 2004 with about 25% of white evangelicals supporting a Democrat. See this http://people-press.org/report/465/mccain-support-declines">latest data on white evangelical leanings.

More importantly, the strength of that support for Mccain is weak...



This white evangelical crowd forms the heart of the mythic "GOP Base."

We're to believe there's a unified base of "social conservatives" that make up and define the Republican party. Cultural warriors who pray to jesus, live in real america, and hate almost everything on television. I think both Democrats and Republicans need to realize this is a myth.

America is a lot more fluid and complicated than these caricatures.

[agentS]

1. As long as they show up to vote b/c of wedge issue politics

they'll always be "caricatures" or at least low-info voters.

Nonetheless, I see your point. I think you are correct in that the Pew Forum is showing that the evangelicals are starting to 'wake up' and realize they have a greater interest to be informed than in what Dobson or Falwell tells them to vote about.

Their "love" of Palin (idol worship?) is disturbing but I think like you in that the Palin supporters aren't representative of the Religious movement's demographics.

[Essene]

2. i also think... there's a fragmentation among social conservatives

i think the hard-core white evangelicals will solidify to a large extent.

but the wider social conservative moment and more mainstream evangelicals are kinda "over" some of the old obsessions.