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The Economist looks at the Evangelical Vote

Posted: September 11th, 2008, 12:06 pm
by Sly Fox
Many of you may not be familiar with this publication, but it is a VERY influential periodical in the upper echelons of th corporate world. As a result it brings a different perspective than others ...
Economist wrote:Evangelical voters
The born-again block

Sep 11th 2008 | WASHINGTON, DC
From The Economist print edition

The Democrats are having a lot of trouble wooing evangelical voters


AS BARACK OBAMA and John McCain move into the final two months of this longest of elections, white evangelical or “born again” Christian voters are being fought over more fiercely than at any time in modern history. Both parties employ evangelical outreach specialists. Both are spending a lot of time courting evangelical leaders. And both are holding meetings with “values voters” to try to reassure them.

The Democrats have at last realised that it is foolish to write off a group that makes up an astonishing 23% of the population. In 1988 Michael Dukakis could hardly bring himself to speak to evangelicals. This year all the major Democratic candidates have cuddled up to them. Mr Obama says that he is “somebody who really has insisted that the Democratic Party reach out to people of faith”. His staff has already conducted more than 200 “American values forums” or faith-themed town-hall meetings. The aim, of course, is not to win the evangelical vote: merely chipping away at such a monolith could be hugely useful.
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Economist

Posted: September 11th, 2008, 2:05 pm
by badger74
One of the best publications in the World. If the Economist says something you better listen. They are very non-partisan and will blast bad conservative ideas as much as liberal ones. Just reading this will keep you well versed in World affairs.

Posted: September 11th, 2008, 2:21 pm
by ALUmnus
I've always found a lot of their opinion pieces to be very liberal and anti-American.

Posted: September 11th, 2008, 2:24 pm
by Sly Fox
I don't pretend to read the Economist or Financial Times on a regular basis. But both are capitalistic and tend to give rather fair treatments to American matters. They both carry a great deal of weight overseas.

Posted: September 11th, 2008, 2:34 pm
by flamesbball84
i've never really thought that evangelicals were even in the typical target market for democrats. they may be wasting their time even trying to sway just a few. i think a better strategy for the dems would be to go after the independents and people on the fence even harder than trying to take a few evangelical votes.