Bending the Third Rail
Because We Should, We Can, We Do
Friday, October 13, 2006
Just Another POV
Digby has written a nice piece that takes a further look at the role of evangelicals in the Republican party. His take is yet another angle in the dynamics between the two:
This sounds as though the GOP thinks that conservative Christian leaders are dupes, but I doubt that is literally true. I think they understand each other quite well and have plenty of respect for their different roles in the power structure. It's obvious to me that both the Republicans and the leaders of the Religious Right are contemptuous of rank and file conservative Christians, not each other.
Maybe.

It may be a matter of levels of respect. I continue to believe that in Republican (as opposed to conservative) leadership circles, they are contemptuous of the religious right leaders .... but respectful of their power. And in terms of the rank and file evangelicals, Republicans are likely contemptuous and without respect. Maybe this is just a restatement of what Digby was saying, although I think his point lacks a certain emphasis on just how deeply Republican leaders think that evangelical leader's beliefs are nutty.

I do agree that both leadership groups completely discount the evangelical rank and file.

But then, isn't that the case with many politicians and the "grassroots"? It's rare the politician who honestly, and I mean honestly, thinks the common person is worthy of respect. Perhaps that's understandable when you look at the behavior of the average voter, much less those who don't even summon up the energy to vote. Yet, in some ways, the common religious right voters are deserving of a certain place in the disrespect hall of fame. Their ongoing faith in their leaders is monumentally naive, bordering on dependency, and is repeatedily self-destructive.
Written at 9:58 AM by Greyhair.
1 comments
1 Comments:
Blogger Lynne said...
The religious right is all about power and money. Nothing more. They are the wolves and their followers are the sheep. I don't have any respect for the religious right or their political cronies.
Bet that's a surprise to you.
2:57 PM  
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