It's Official: The Christian Right Has Lost Control of the Republican Party

[LAGC]

With Lyin' Ted Cruz crashing and burning, the writing is on the wall... regular, frequently-attending church-going Christians overwhelmingly preferred Cruz as their candidate. Yet for the first time in a generation, they weren't able to deliver the GOP nomination.

It's Official: The Fascist Wing of the "Grand" Old Party has now taken over.



(At least Carnival Cruz has Carly at his side to help with laying off all those staffers... )

[nxylas]

1. Much of the Christian right was supporting Trump

Whatever failings he may have from their perspective (multiple marriages etc) were handwaved away on the IOKIYAR principle.

[LAGC]

2. Mostly non-church-attending "Christians" who simply identify with the label, not real worshipers.

At least according to all the exit polls.

You got to hand it to Trump though: wave the Holy Bible, claim it's his favorite book, quote a little "Two Corinthians" and watch the sheep flock to his message.

Incredible showmanship. The mark of a true demagogue.

[pampango]

3. "Incredible showmanship. The mark of a true demagogue." Well said.

And that is the essence of Trump - the dangerous candidate and a dangerous president.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

12. would be. Trump won't be President if Democrats Get Out the Vote. SCOTUS. Senate.

Make Paul Ryan sweat in the House. Prevent more North Carolinas by winning state Legislatures and Governorships.

[Dorian Gray]

5. Disturbing, isn't it?

not that I'm weeping that Cruz is gone. But... deep breath. I'm still disturbed.

[AllyCat]

15. Hey, he "eats the wafer".

[Indydem]

4. Interesting you put it that way.

I would argue Ted Cruz and his Dominion Theology leanings was the real fascist.

If the GOP could shed the religious right, and morality becomes a personal decision, rather than a political bludgeon, maybe the country would be better off.

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Classical fascism appealed more to nationalism than religious bigotry or power

Both Mussolini and Hitler reached accommodations with some denominations, but didn't deploy them as their main purpose for existence (Franco was more aligned with it, admittedly).

Trump's "make American great again", "you're going to love winning", demonization of Mexicans and Muslims, birtherism, and endless promotion of himself as a strong individual leader all fit well into fascist ideology.

[fasttense]

7. Good info

I would merely add that the Oligarchs would force Trump to calm down and act normal if he were to get voted in.

Rember how liberal Obama sounded when he first campaigned for President? And now Obama got himself some fast track and he's pushing the TPP. The Oligarchs will make sure they are still in control no matter who we pretend to vote in.

[meow2u3]

18. Cruz is more of a clerical fascist

much like was Franco in Spain, Salazar in Portugal, the Iron Guard was in Romania, and the like. Cruz's Dominionism is a form a clerical fascism IMO.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clerical_fascism

[auntpurl]

8. Yes, that is an interesting development I hadn't considered.

No matter how horrific Trump and fascism is, this is still...progress, of a sort? I guess?

[titaniumsalute]

9. Well I guess you have two evils

Religious fanatics who want JesusChristburg and racist knuckledraggers who want the United States of White people. I actually don't know which one is worse. I choose neither.

[malaise]

10. Remember many of the so called Christian right as the same

racist scumbags hiding their racism behind Fundie religion. It's not that simple.
They simply chose Trump over Cruz and remember large numbers of them don't know the difference between Two Corinthians and 2nd Corinthians - just like their pathological lying, racist, fascist, 'will say anything' candidate.

[PotatoChip]

11. It surprises me that Cruz won in Maine.

We are not really much of a religious state. Canadian French Catholics, yes. But not a lot of Cruz type evangelicals reside here.

My theory is that it was more of an anti-Trump inspired win than a pro-Cruz thing. Generally speaking, rural Mainers don't much care for rich northeast city slickers. We deal with these types every summer when they come here to vacation in their multi-million dollar "camps". Often for the entire summer. Certainly not all, but many of them are as repulsive as tRump.

In any event, it looks as if Trump will be the R nominee and quite likely our soon-to-be President since Hillary will probably be ours. I'm glad that the Christian Right held little sway this time, though. Hopefully they are on the political decline from here on out.

[NCTraveler]

13. Trump still espouses many views near and dear to the Christian Right. Nt

[AllyCat]

17. I would agree with that. They are good haters and they know a good hater

When they see one.

[rurallib]

14. I would say the thirst for power or to be in the ruling group means much more

to the evangelistas than does any religious or moral code.
The religious and moral sayings are just the excuses they give for lusting for power.

[dawg]

16. They never had control of the party in the first place.

They were just "useful idiots" in service of the wealthy donor-class.

It's the economic elite that has lost control of the Republican Party. The rednecks have taken over.

[Kip Humphrey]

19. Hallelujah! Can I hear a Hallelujah! now?

[keithbvadu2]

20. It has become more important to them to be political Christians rather than

practicing Christians.

[braddy]

21. I don't get the OP, when did the church goers ever get their candidate through the primary?

[Nitram]

22. The Xian right never had control over the party. They were just used for their votes.

[spanone]

23. the republican party has lost control of the republican party.

[wildeyed]

24. Nah, the corporate overlords lost control.

The religious right never had control, they were just a pawn of the big money. The ex-Dixiecrats are driving the crazy train now. Many self-identify as religious, but they are really just a bunch of hidebound bigots trying to turn the clock back 50 years to a time when they didn't have to listen politely to blacks or women. Trump is their guy. It will be interesting to see if Trump can hold on to them now that he needs to pivot to GE mode and can't slobber and rant endlessly if he wants to pick up some of the middle voters.