Is the rupture coming? Maybe so. Yesterday’s inaugural press conferences for the Texans For Conservative Principles PAC was a clear sign to the Republican Party that many of the opinion makers amongst the “values voters” aren’t happy with the heir apparent John McCain. The PAC draws from a coalition of evangelicals, anti-abortion rights groups and advocates of more religion in government and less government over-all (although speakers took the time to note that any clergy or staff from non-profits were there as private citizens, not representing their flock, because that would violate tax law.) There were a handful of current and former legislators too (although, apparently Sen. Dan Patrick was called away at the last minute.)
They were angry that the “Republican Aristocracy” had seemingly handed the nomination to John McCain. They were still stumping for Mike Huckabee, who they portrayed as the only real conservative in the presidential race. Which raises the question: when John Cornyn, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Rick Perry and even Sean Hannity aren’t conservative enough for them, what exactly do they want?
Fortunately, the PAC has an answer, and it’s an easy one: be as pro-life as Huckabee, and you’re conservative enough. But they also took the time to warn that U.S. society is at risk from immigrants, socialists, secular humanists, and the inheritance of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
How serious is the threat to party unity? While there was an implication (although not a promise) to get behind any eventual nominee, there were also rumblings about how Ronald Reagan lost to Gerald Ford in 1976, and look what happened to him. Hint, hint.
This article appears in February 15 • 2008.
