Poll: Most Republicans Want Christian Right Gone in 2000 Republicans are Eager to Shed 'Religious' Extremist Image

Compiled by Badpuppy's GayToday From American Viewpoint Reports Fundamentalist Gary Bauer says he will run for president in 2000. In a poll conducted for Log Cabin Republicans by American Viewpoint, a Virginia- Republican polling firm, most Republicans -- including Republican men --said they would be more likely to support a Republican candidate for President in 2000 who confronts the religious right, rather than panders to them. Furthermore, the poll found that a third of African-American voters would be more likely to support a GOP candidate that confronted the religious right, as well as a majority of voters aged 18 to 29. Also, most Independents would move into the GOP column, and majorities of those who voted for Bob Dole and Ross Perot for President in 1996. In addition, the poll suggests that such a candidate would not spark a revolt among conservative voters. Among those identifying as "somewhat conservative," 46% would still be "more likely" to support the GOP candidate, as opposed to 31% who would be "less likely." The plurality is the same among those identifying as "very conservative" -- 46% would still be "more likely" to support the GOP, with 32% as "less likely," with "devout right" split 40%-38%. "The data in this poll indicates that a bold move by one Republican candidate in 2000 would be a winning strategy for both the primaries and the general election," said Richard Tafel, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans. "A conservative Republican who confronts the religious right, articulates a strong Republican message and reaches out to the mainstream can both win the nomination, bring in swing voters and rip into the Democratic base." Richard Tafel, executive director of Log Cabin Republicans "The Republican Party is at a turning point," Tafel said. "The religious right was trounced in this election and those Republicans who ran away from them won by a landslide. The Republican governors are pointing the way for the party -- voters who disapproved of the performance of the Republican Congress would be more likely to vote for a Republican who takes on the religious right. That shows which half of the GOP the voters want more from now on." National survey of 1,000 Americans who voted on November 3, conducted for Log Cabin Republicans, found the following results: Question: Would you be more likely or less likely to support a Republican candidate for President who confronted the Religious Right, rather than pandering to them? Republicans: All Voters: 53% More Likely 46% More Likely 28% Less Likely 34% Less Likely Independents: Democrats-- Men: 49% More Likely 40% More Likely 29% Less Likely 43% Less Likely Republicans Men: Independent Men: 56% More Likely 53% More Likely 26% Less Likely 28% Less Likely African American Voters 18-29: 32% Less Likely 51% More Likely Voted For Bob Dole-96 Voted For Perot-96 52% More Likely 52% More Likely 26% Less Likely 26% Less Likely Voters Who Disapprove of GOP Congress: 47% More Likely 33% Less Likely "Devout Right" (Self-Identified): 40% More Likely 38% Less Likely American Viewpoint: Telephone survey conducted November 6-9, 1998 of 1,000 adults who voted on November 3, 1998. Margin of error: 3.2%

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