The End of Organized Conservatism

With moderate John McCain all but clinching the Republican nomination despite the efforts of the far right, it is more evident now than ever before that organized conservatism is becoming extinct.
Today marked the end of Mitt Romney's bid to become the Republican nominee in 2008. Romney was the final legitimate threat in the primaries to John McCain. With Romney dropping out, it leaves only McCain and evangelical conservative Mike Huckabee to battle it out, if you can call it that. On Super Tuesday, McCain pretty much sealed the deal. Huckabee has been considered a spoiler by most, just taking votes away from Romney.

McCain is considered a maverick, a moderate by many in the political world, and his stranglehold on the Republican nomination has many hardcore conservatives very upset. Some even compare him to Hillary Clinton at times...seriously. So what does all of this mean? It means that hard-nosed, far right-wing, evangelical politics are a thing of the past.

Famous evangelical ideologue Pat Robertson, founder of the 700 Club and Regent University, endorsed Rudy Giuliani. With a Robertson endorsement, a candidate in the Republican Party would usually have instant credibility and loads of support. In 2008, that's not the case. Mitt Romney was backed by those who identify themselves as conservative. Consevatives have lost their grip of power over the Republican Party. This year, for the first time ever, the Republican nominee will not need the blessing of the conservative "base."

By Rod Cox
Published: 2/8/2008
 
Have conservatives in politics lost their power?
Yes
No
They are losing power, but haven't lost it.
They are gaining power, but gradually.
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