Conservative Christians Considering Really Stupid '08 Move

Anyone who thinks that it would be a smart idea to pursue a third-party option rather than supporting the Republican '08 nominee clearly has psychological problems. How else can you explain actions that would only serve to elect Hillary Clinton? (h/t SmartChristian.com)

Alarmed at the chance that the Republican party might pick Rudolph Giuliani as its presidential nominee despite his support for abortion rights, a coalition of influential Christian conservatives is threatening to back a third-party candidate in an attempt to stop him.

The group making the threat, which came together Saturday in Salt Lake City during a break-away gathering during a meeting of the secretive Council for National Policy, includes Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family, who is perhaps the most influential of the group, as well as Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, the direct mail pioneer Richard Viguerie and dozens of other politically-oriented conservative Christians, participants said. Almost everyone present expressed support for a written resolution that “if the Republican Party nominates a pro-abortion candidate we will consider running a third party candidate.”

The participants spoke on condition of anonymity because the both the Council for National Policy and the smaller meeting were secret, but they said members of the intend to publicize its resolution. These participants said the group chose the qualified term “consider” because they have not yet identified an alternative third party candidate, but the group was largely united in its plans to bolt the party if Mr. Giuliani became the candidate.

They might as well go for Alan Keyes since he's surely be available and he meets all their narrow-minded goals. He's also a good loser since he's been trounced so many times before.

If these numbskulls actually try and run a third party candidate in '08 I'll personally lead a campaign to cut off financial support for every one of those organizations.

UPDATE: A new Gallup poll suggests that although some religious "leaders" may want to explore a third party option in '08, the flock isn't all that interested in following them down that self-destructive path (from The Corner):

I don't think we've mentioned a new Gallup poll that shows how the Republican presidential candidates are doing among the various subgroups in the party. The poll shows Giuliani leading among virtually every group, including some, like regular church attendees and married women, who have been key markers in the past. So here it is:

Among Republicans who call themselves conservatives, Giuliani leads with 30 percent, with Thompson at 23, McCain at 15, and Romney at 10. Among Republicans who called themselves moderates or liberals, Giuliani leads with 38 percent, over Thompson with 17, McCain with 16, and Romney with 9.

Among Republicans who say they attend church weekly, Giuliani leads with 27 percent, with Thompson at 24, McCain at 17, and Romney at 9. Among Republicans who attend monthly, Giuliani leads with 33 percent, to Thompson's 18, McCain's 16, and Romney's 14. And among those who seldom or never attend church, Giuliani leads with 39 over Thompson with 20, McCain with 13 and Romney with 8.

Gallup also found Giuliani leading among Protestant and Catholic Republicans. Among Protestants, he scored 28, with Thompson at 23, McCain at 17, and Romney at 8. Among Catholics, Giuliani has a big lead, 44 percent, with Thompson at 18, McCain at 13 and Romney at 13.