Jeb Bush, the support of the Christian Right, and what it means for 2016
Speaking at a Catholic school benefit in New York on 23rd April, Jeb Bush announced heâs âthinking about running for presidentâ. The Washington Post reports that âprominent donors, conservative leaders and long-time operatives say they consider Bush the GOPâs brightest hope to win back the White Houseâ.
Why? Some attribute his popularity to the support of the Christian Right.
In an interview with Real Clear Politics, Hispanic evangelical leader Rev. Samuel Rodriguez spoke of Bush as âan attractive candidate for evangelicals that adhere to a pro-faith family and religious freedom agendaâ. Itâs easy to see why. âChoose Lifeâ license plates were signed into law by Bush during his tenure as Governor of Florida in 1999. In a 2003 court case, Bush ordered lawyers to appoint a representative for the foetus of a developmentally disabled rape victim. He also fought a two-year court case to keep alive Terri Schiavo, a brain-damaged woman on life support.
However, some argue that support from the Christian Right is largely irrelevant in todayâs Republican agenda. Writing for New Republic, Michael Kazin believes the Christian Right to be a âfading force in American lifeâ because of the shifting consensus on big issues such as abortion and same-sex marriage.
There is growing tolerance, acceptance and support for issues like abortion, and the GOP can no longer garner the simultaneous support of the Christian Right and wider American public by asserting their opposition to it. Any act which appeases the Christian Right risks alienating the swing vote.
If the GOP wishes to succeed in 2016, focus should be turned to reinforcing their stance on issues such as immigration and education; areas which Jeb Bush causes much concern. Bush recently angered some conservatives by saying immigrants come to the United States illegally out of an âact of loveâ to help their families. On the topic of education, Bushâs advocacy of the Common Core State Standards Initiative goes against the grain of the Republicans.
There is considerable disagreement with the assertion that Jeb Bush can do well in 2016 as a result of Christian Right backing because they are no longer the influential power they used to be. But perhaps more importantly, Bushâs breaches in Republican orthodoxy over fundamental issues such as immigration will test the faith and trust of traditional conservative voters.Â
30th March 2014













