September, 02 2008, 02:03pm EDT
Right Wing Praises McCain's Obedience
In 2000, John McCain solidified his "maverick" reputation by
lambasting the Religious Right. He labeled Pat Robertson and Jerry
Falwell "agents of intolerance" and decried the
Right's role within the Republican Party:
WASHINGTON
In 2000, John McCain solidified his "maverick" reputation by
lambasting the Religious Right. He labeled Pat Robertson and Jerry
Falwell "agents of intolerance" and decried the
Right's role within the Republican Party:
They are corrupting influences on religion and
politics, and those who practice them in the name of religion or in the name of
the Republican Party or in the name of America shame our faith, our party
and our country.
"John McCain has been working hard to get back in the good graces
of the Right," said People For the American Way President Kathryn
Kolbert. "He's given them exactly what they want - a book
banning, anti-choice, anti-gay, anti-science extremist who's short on
experience but long on ideology. Americans don't want a candidate who
believes that victims of rape and incest should be denied a right to choose
abortion. But the far right does. They said jump, and McCain just
asked how high."
In return, the right-wing's response has been over the top:
James
Dobson, Focus on the Family: "A lot of people were praying, and
I believe Sarah Palin is God's answer."
Tony
Perkins, Family Research Council: "Senator McCain made an outstanding
pick."
Connie
Mackey, FRCAction: "I am elated with Senator McCain's
choice."
Mat Staver, Liberty Counsel:
"Absolutely brilliant choice."
Richard Land:
"Governor Palin will delight the Republican base."
Rick
Scarborough, Vision America,
"I'm elated. I think it's a superb choice."
Ralph
Reed: "They're beyond ecstatic. This is a home run."
Gary
Bauer, American Values: "[A] grand slam home run."
Phyllis
Schlafly, Eagle Forum: "She is the best possible choice."
Wendy Wright, Concerned
Women for America:
"Governor Palin will change the dynamics of the entire presidential
race."
Janice Shaw Crouse, CWA's Beverly
LaHaye Institute: "She is an outstanding woman who will be an excellent
role model for the nation's young people."
David
Barton, Wallbuilders: "The talk won't be about, 'look at Sarah Palin'
as much as 'look at what McCain's choice of Palin says about McCain's core
beliefs."
Jonathan
Falwell: "John McCain made it very clear that his administration was
going to be a pro-life administration, and he proved that's his belief
and his passion today with the choice of Sarah Palin."
Jerry
Falwell, Jr.: "I think it's a brilliant choice."
Charmaine
Yoest, Americans United for Life: "And then when [Palin] was
announced - it was like you couldn't breathe. [We] were grabbing
each other and jumping up and down."
Gary
Marx, Judicial Confirmation Network: "I can tell you that this pick
tells millions in the base of the party that they can trust McCain. More
specifically that they can trust him with Supreme Court picks and other key
appointments."
David Keene,
American Conservative Union: "The selection of Governor Palin is great
news for conservatives, for the party and for the country. I predict any
conservatives who have been lukewarm thus far in their support of the McCain
candidacy will work their hearts out between now and November for the
McCain-Palin ticket."
People For the American Way works to build a democratic society that implements the ideals of freedom, equality, opportunity and justice for all. We encourage civic participation, defend fundamental rights, and fight to dismantle systemic barriers to equitable opportunity. We fight against right-wing extremism and the injustice it fosters.
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