36
sing Bush’s praises as the party’s presidential nominee, there was talk of forming “Republicans
for Buchanan” if Bush picked a pro-choice running mate.
103
Scholars who have studied the Christian Right portray a movement that has developed
an impressive organizational base and established itself as a long-term player in American
politics.
104
They also suggest that its policy successes have been limited.
105
Given that its
stance tends to be defensive in trying to preserve and perpetuate values from an earlier time,
while public opinion is trending, albeit incrementally, in the opposite direction on some of the
issues of greatest concern to it, its influence is likely to remain modest on these matters.
106
There will be some successes, such as passage of a Defense of Marriage Act and a law placing
certain restrictions on abortions, in Texas in 2003. But its greatest impact will be on issues
where it can build alliances with other conservatives, for example, economic and anti-crime
measures. Social conservatives are not likely to be happy playing a supporting role on issues of
secondary importance to them. They want more from the Republican party than rhetoric and
thank-yous. This is especially true because for many on the religious right “their partisanship is
instrumental.”
107
Their loyalty to the cause is much stronger than their loyalty to the party.
Realistically, they have no choice but to stay within the GOP. Like African Americans and the
Democratic party, they may grumble and threaten to bolt, but exiting has little likelihood of
yielding concrete results. As Oldfield puts it, “The Christian Right does not fit neatly into the
Republican party, but it is likely to remain uneasily lodged there for some time to come.”
108
A final topic worthy of is diversity within the parties. If Texas is not already “majority
minority,” it will be very soon.
109
Even though the electorate remains disproportionately white
(66% of Texas voters in 2004 were white),
110
both parties are aware of the necessity of
appealing to citizens of varied origins. Both also value having a diverse group of activists,
including convention delegates. Democrats have done better than Republicans in this regard,
especially among African Americans. Data reported by Feigert and his associates show that
10.6% of Democratic activists in 2001 were black.
111
In contrast, only 2.5% of Republican
Convention