Democratic antics, despised by Republicans only 15 years ago, are now embraced within the Republican/Christian Right Party voters today.Back in 1992, accusations were flying around of Bill Clinton’s sexual escapades with Gennifer Flowers, Cathaline Willy, Anita Broderick and Paula Jones. The Republican talking heads at the time where warning of Bill Clinton’s huge character flaws. The Christian-right, “value” voters, and social conservatives where all on the front lines actively working with the Republican Party exposing Clinton’s indiscretions.
The Christian Right used the backdrop of President George Bush’s marriage with Barbara as a contrast to the alleged encounters of Bill Clinton. The image from the Republican/Christian Right Party was that Bush was happily married for nearly 40 years with Barbara; Barbara is not an ambitious First Lady; Barbara loves on her family. At the same time, Bill Clinton was billed as the anti-family man who has women coming forward with claims of rape and sexual encounters. Hillary was a woman who only puts up with such activity because of her own ambitions and lust for power while having her own sexual outlets outside of marriage. Bush’s- Traditional “one-man, one-woman” Marriage verses Clinton’s- Open Marriage.
The Republican/Christian Right template was dripping with this picture. The GOP supports family values while the Democrats will excuse blatant acts against the family for political power. The picture sickened the Christian Right and riled them up to vote for George Bush.
The picture only solidified that picture during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. During the ongoing investigation of the Paula Jones case, in which the Christian Right was still pursuing, Monica Lewinsky signed an affidavit denying a relationship with President Bill Clinton. Once the truth was revealed that a sexual relationship did exist through Linda Tripp, the Republican/Christian Right had a strong case to prove the picture they have drawn was right.
During the trial, Republican Party and talking heads were disgusted with the defense of the Democrats. The Democrats would state that “this is a private matter and extramarital affairs should have no basis on how a person governs.” The Christian Right response was that “character matters.” Through this argument, the Republican/Christian Right stated their existence on family values and traditional marriage. Since this episode, there have been many campaigns within the Republican Party with slogans dealing with “Family, Faith, and Values.”
Read Why Evangelicals Give Newt Passes on Three Marriages:
http://www.theonlinepoop.com/2012/01/why-doesnt-newts-divorces-matter-to.html
Today’s Republican Primary only demonstrates that the Republican/Christian Right Party’s fight for family values has always been an empty promise; just a ploy for votes within the Christian community. In South Carolina, the first southern primary where 60% of the electorate is evangelical Christians, the Republican Party will have an opportunity to stand up for the family and traditional marriage.
In the past, the battle cry was that “character matters.” Now the battle cry is that “Christians practice redemption.” When Bill Clinton was being alleged of sexual encounters… “Character matters.” When Bill Clinton was having sex in the White House…”character matters”. When Bill Clinton parceled words when telling the court it depends on your definition of what “is” is….”character matters.” But, when Newt Gingrich is accused of proposing an open marriage by his second wife….”Christians practice redemption.” When Newt Gingrich accuses the media of smearing his name instead of denying the claims….”Christians practice redemption.” In one case, the Republican/Christian Right Party will use the Bible against an opponent to stand for “family values” while, on the other hand, use the same Bible to uplift a candidate after indiscretion based on the wrong application of “redemption.”
During the Clinton years, sex scandals were promoted among the Republican/Christian Right Party to give rise to the GOP. Now, sex scandals, open marriages, and divorces are promoted to build the GOP.
Oh, how the Republican Party and religious leaders will continue to prostitute the Gospel for political gain.
Very insightful. Good commentary!
ReplyDelete