Because the religious right doesn't REALLY care about national moral character. They don't care about infidelity or corruption or hypocrisy. They care only about ideally (in their minds) banning all homosexual behavior and abortion. Banning.
So, they don't care if politicians screw around, extort, take improper money from lobbyists, break laws, etc. as long as they support nominees and policies that inch towards (or outright) bans on homosexuality and abortion.
They just refuse to say any of this outright and instead mask their true desires with talk of "moral character" and "values" when in fact they don't give a crap about any of that - they only give a crap about those 2 issues.
Jof CA6:11PM July 09, 2009
A little homework reveals that the claim that conservative groups offer only “total silence” is based on Gilgoff’s total failure to do his homework.
Contrary to Gilgoff’s assertion, Concerned Women for America (CWA) has spoken out on the
Sanford issue.
Dr. Janice Crouse, Senior Fellow at the Beverly LaHaye Institute, the think tank for CWA, published “Who Cares About a Politician’s Affair?” at townhall.com. The article denounced Sanford’s lack of remorse for falling prey to the “lightning strike” of “love.”
Wendy Wright, President of CWA, along with Penny Nance, a CWA board member, wrote “The Sanford Affair” published on Human Events on June 29 . The article forthrightly stated, “Let us be clear: Mark Sanford should and will face serious consequences. Watching the clip of his confession is witnessing his political death.” It probed the idea that Republicans should not use the Sanford affair as a rallying cry for Republicans to throw out “family values” and to disparage marriage” but an opportunity to prove why “they [family values] are important and worth fighting for.”
But the most incriminating evidence against Gilgoff’s claim is an article Gilgoff himself wrote entitled “Will Sanford's Apologies Pass Muster With the Pro-Family Movement?” It featured an extensive “phone conversation about South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford's admitted affair” between Gilgoff and none other than Wendy Wright.
Please do your research, Mr. Gilgoff.
Lydia Van Matreof PA11:10AM July 06, 2009
A common problem with articles like this is they fail to investigate prior to reporting. Then, too many people consider something like this to be gospel fact as long as it is in print and is not from a source like Fox News.
In a recent interview on the Ed Show on MSNBC, Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council commented on how multiple conservatives and those in the Republican party are letting down their constituents.
With respect to the uncovering of marital infidelity among several key leaders, Perkins stated "there is a sense of hypocrisy, it's not that you shouldn't take on these issues (of faithfulness in marriage)...if you are going to champion these issues, you have to live by a higher standard"
He went on to say "I think all public servants should be faithful to their vows of marriage, I can't imagine why voters would think that politicians would be faithful to them, if they are not faithful to their spouse.
While this whole issue with Sanford and others is terribly disappointing, it should not serve as a distraction to conservatives of the issues that are in need of addressing in our country right now. There are many who would much prefer we spend time talking about a fallen conservative congressman or governor as opposed to investigating the issues that are buried in the healthcare proposal and global warming spending and tax plan. Sanford's political future is very likely over, but for those who remain, we must continue to address issue, not distractions. President Obama promised he wouldn't raise taxes on the middle class, and he is agreeing in principle now to multiple proposals that will do just that. That is an issue of unfaithfulness to his electorate, but few are willing to report on it. Talk about hypocrisy!!!
It's a shame that this is considered journalism when you can't get all the facts. It seems from this article you are more interested in painting a biased picture against Tony Perkins and the Family Research Council than you are in doing your job.
Do US News and its readers a favor and do take off those biased lenses!
Johnof MO1:02AM July 03, 2009
The "family values" frauds are really about political power, not moral reform.
Steve J.of AZ9:32PM July 01, 2009
Examples of past fundy freakouts would be illuminating and kind of funny.
Not that I disagree.... nor particularly care.
Dude disappeared from work for a week without telling anybody. That gets a fry-cook at McDonald's fired.
Sarcastroof TN6:57PM July 01, 2009
Words are cheap. These Family Research geeks, Perkins and Jackson, find it easy (and lucrative $$$) to preach in print but they disappear when someone from their "self identified party" is exposed as another cheating husband. But I shouldn't JUDGE, maybe they're away on vacation and can't get to a microphone. Riiight. Oh and one more thing...if I hear SOUL MATE one more time I'll hurl. SOUL MATE??? How lame is that? You cheat on your spouse, but it's not really that bad because you found your SOUL MATE (gag) which makes you a sympathetic figure torn between your boring old spouse and your exciting new "Soul Mate". Sounds like the script from a 1980's B movie.
Not Fooledof TX5:05PM July 01, 2009
"If you judged every politician based on their morals in their private lives we'd have and empty congress."
LOL. Precisely why it's so amusing when Republicans get caught. If you boast about your party's superior morality and family values, you damn well better be perfect or you quickly get a reputation for being hypocrits.
Larry Wide Stance Craigof ID4:13PM July 01, 2009
Religious Evangelicals such as Family Research Council and Southern Baptists Convention etal lost their moral compass a long time ago.
Time and time again, we have see that these so-called moral relgious put on the same false front that their brethern in Republican party have.
They gave up the Gospels in exchange for political power. They attached themselves willingly to the GOP hypocrites who stroked their egoes and curried their votes.
No one is the least surprised that these religious hypocrites who worship the almighty dollar and prance about in their mega churches have remained silent about their deal with the devil.
Continuumof TN4:11PM July 01, 2009
If you judged every politician based on their morals in their private lives we'd have and empty congress.
Ted Kennedyof MA3:51PM July 01, 2009
Anyone with an IQ higher than a tree stump knows these "Family Values" hypocrits are nothing more than a faction within the Republican Party created to hoodwink naive people into voting for "Gods Own Party" so phonies like Ralph Reed, Gary Bauer, Robertson and Dobson will ge given a place of honor at the King's Table, "consulted" on policy (and laughed at behind their backs). When a conservative Republican gets caught screwing (literally) up, the "Family Values" crowd remains silent---Democrats however are always held to a "higher moral standard".
Reader Comments
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J of CA 6:11PM July 09, 2009
Lydia Van Matre of PA 11:10AM July 06, 2009
John of MO 1:02AM July 03, 2009
Steve J. of AZ 9:32PM July 01, 2009
Sarcastro of TN 6:57PM July 01, 2009
Not Fooled of TX 5:05PM July 01, 2009
Larry Wide Stance Craig of ID 4:13PM July 01, 2009
Continuum of TN 4:11PM July 01, 2009
Ted Kennedy of MA 3:51PM July 01, 2009
Rick of MI 3:28PM July 01, 2009