Christian Conservatives Ponder Third Party Disaster--er, Candidate

Concerned Republicans may choose liberal Rudy Giuliani as the standard-bearer, a coalition of Christian conservatives may back a third party candidate, thus ensuring a Democrat in the White House come 2009.

I hate third party candidates because they only muddy the waters in our system. Bill Clinton never got more than a plurality in part because of spoiler Ross Perot. And as happy as I am that Al Gore lost in 2000 and John Kerry lost in 2004, there's no question Ralph Nader played no small role in that outcome.

Yet even if Focus on the Family's James Dobson or Family Research Council's Tony Perkins dislike Giuliani, according to Pew polls, a plurality of white Christian evangelicals would still support Giuliani. Why? Because even Giuliani as president is better than Hillary Clinton or Barak Obama.

I frequently get accused by those on the left of "just wanting to win," which is why, in their opinion, I support President Bush. I'll take winning over losing any day, mainly because there's a possibility I'll get policies in place that I like with even a liberal Republican. The chances with any Democrat? Not so much.

Captain Ed calls for unity in the party or else Christian conservatives may see their influence on the party wane.

Naturally, nutroots endorse Christian conservatives breaking with the GOP.