Washington, D.C--The Christian Coalition's announcement of a "presidential straw poll" at its national conference in September is a charade, says the nation's leading church-state watchdog group.

Lynn said the Christian Coalition is a Republican Party front group with a religious veneer that always does the bidding of its boss, TV preacher Pat Robertson.

"The last time the Coalition conducted a poll of its state leaders, Democratic candidates got no votes," observed Lynn. "And guess what? Sen. John Ashcroft, Robertson's candidate, was announced as the poll winner."

Lynn noted that the results of that February poll of the Christian Coalition state leaders' meeting in Virginia Beach were leaked to the news media even though state leaders had been assured that they would not be. A few Christian Coalition state leaders thought the results were manipulated to elevate Ashcroft.

Wednesday's Christian Coalition press release announcing the upcoming straw poll said "security measures" would be put in place to ensure "accurate" results. Lynn said the whole process "is a charade."

Last fall, Americans United released a tape of Robertson addressing a closed-door session of Christian Coalition leaders in Atlanta. (See GayToday Archives: http://gaytoday.badpuppy.com/garchive/viewpoint/092997vi.htm) Although the Christian Coalition has repeatedly claimed it does not endorse candidates, in the speech the TV preacher outlined a plan to control the Republican Party presidential nominating process.

"Robertson said his group must unite behind a single candidate in the Republican primary to maximize their influence and ensure that someone they like is chosen," recalled Lynn. "Robertson said he would get the word out about who that is, and he's already doing that."

The TV preacher and his wife Dede have contributed $10,000 to Ashcroft's PAC, and he has told newspaper reporters that Ashcroft is "number one right now." The Missouri senator has been featured or mentioned favorably many times on Robertson's "700 Club" program this year.

On Saturday, Robertson and Ashcroft are scheduled to appear together at a "Faith and Family Gala" in Orlando, Florida. The event is sponsored by the Florida affiliate of the Christian Coalition.

Concluded Americans United's Lynn, "At his secret meeting last fall, Robertson said the Christian Coalition must emulate Tammany Hall. It looks like Boss Pat has made great strides toward that goal."