Evangelical Christians are so worried that Mitt Romney might actually become the Republican nominee for president, they are preparing a scorched earth “Anybody-But-Romney” plan to defeat him at all costs!
The plan calls for dozens of conservative Christian leaders and political strategists to meet next weekend in Texas and concoct an elaborate plan to put their stamp on the political process. James C. Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, and Donald E. Wildmon, the retired president of the American Family Association will lead the effort to seek political unity among evangelicals and find a viable alternative to the Mormon and moderate Romney. Other evangelicals will also hold discussions and prepare for later meetings should the gathering in Texas fail to reach a consensus.
Believing that President Obama is weakened and in a position to be beat, evangelicals see this as the perfect opportunity to put someone with their same moral and religious beliefs in the White House. But they realize that time is running short. They also recognize that the longer they wait to unify behind one candidate, the more it divides support between the candidates — which only helps Romney. So, they know they must move quickly if they hope to shape the political outcome.
“This is the $100,000 question: Can the evangelical leadership unify behind Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum or Rick Perry?” said John Stemberger, president of Florida Family Policy Council. “There’s a conversation going on as we speak,” he said. “We’re attempting to see if leaders can get on the same page.”
“We’re moving closer to the point where a decision needs to be made,” added Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, a leading Christian conservative group. “I think people understand that the stakes are very high.”
But this evangelical “meeting of the minds” may not go as smoothly as some may expect or hope. Many evangelicals are impressed with the fact that up and coming candidate Rick Santorum is a Roman Catholic, who governs based on his religious beliefs and staunchly defends conservative values including the definition of marriage being between one man and one woman. But others believe Santorum lacks the gravitas to beat Barack Obama, let alone Mitt Romney. So their dilemma is: do they back a candidate who holds their same moral beliefs, or do they back a candidate who can beat Obama?
David Lane, a political organizer who is actively mobilizing pastors around the country, says Mr. Santorum does not have the money or organization to pull off a repeat of his strong showing in Iowa. “He’s drawing votes away from the only two guys that can be competitive with Romney — Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry,” Lane said.
“When he gets ready to, Romney will flick him with his finger like a flea,” he said of Mr. Santorum. “I’m not against Santorum; I just don’t think he’s viable politically.”
If Mitt Romney begins to pull away in this race and appears on course to seize the nomination, some evangelicals are preparing for a last ditch effort to take their fight all the way to the GOP convention and draft a TBA candidate of their own. Any GOP in-fighting between the old guard, the evangelicals and the Tea Party over control of the party, will only further divide Republicans — which will play right into the hands of the Obama campaign.
No surprise here Romney is gonna have trouble down in the bible belt. I can already see a fight at the convention gearing up. Republicans don't know how to seperete religion and politics.