Friday, February 08, 2008

HUCKABEE, KEYES, PAUL REMAIN STRONGEST PRO-LIFERS

Your missionary to Capitol Hill, Washington, DC, Rob Schenck, reporting:

I spent all day yesterday at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) here in Washington. This is the annual gathering of every kind of conservative political leader and grassroots activist. The content of the event spans the spectrum from the social-religious-moral to economic-Second Amendment-security issues. Sometimes it's a delicate mix, as it most certainly was yesterday.

While I was there I talked with a number of leading thinkers and strategists. I also talked with Mitt Romney and his wife Ann just before he so graciously bowed out by suspending his presidential campaign. By then, some 4 million Americans had cast their vote for the Governor, but it wasn't enough to stop the John McCain tsunami.

The political equation has now changed considerably. I'm greatly relieved that Mike Huckabee is no longer in a position of being used by the McCain camp to gain an advantage. Jim Dobson validated this by endorsing him today. The only way Huckabee could fall back into that trap is to accept a McCain invitation for running mate--something I pray Governor Huckabee would not do. It may be a moot point, though, after yesterday's clear rejection of McCain by the central core of conservatives. I was there. I heard the booing; I saw the bristling. He didn't go over well and he knows it. And everything I've heard about John McCain, including from those who have worked closest to him over many years, is that McCain has a very long memory. He's likely to punish conservatives by not naming one as a top figure in his prospective administration.

All this adds up to: Religious, social and moral conservatives should hold on tight to the candidate of their consciences. Huckabee, Keyes and Paul remain strong options on the Republican side; there are other party and independent candidates; and there's even a pro-life Democrat running, but I honestly can't remember his name!

It goes without saying that Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama will never connect with religious and moral conservatives. Relatively speaking, she's more conservative than he is, but that's not saying much at all. Both Clinton and Obama and their party remain utterly sold out to a pro-abortion, anti-traditional marriage platform.

This election season will not be an easy one. As you approach your primary elections, please pray, stay fully informed (a big demand in and of itself) and fully engaged. May the Lord grant us wisdom in these difficult times!

Back with more . . . and more . . . and more!

Your grateful missionary to elected and appointed officials,

Rob Schenck
Faith and Action
109 2nd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
www.faithandaction.org
202-546-8329