Republicans at the Crossroads, Part Two: Next Week's Chance For Redemption May Be Their Last

The talk of a Republican apocalypse this fall is likely premature, but very well earned.

by Rod D. Martin
June 2, 2006

The talk of a Republican apocalypse this fall is likely premature, but very well earned. A White House that can't seem to communicate its way out of a paper bag surely can't lead. A Senate which forgets it was elected to cut spending, reduce waste and change Washington should expect to be sent home. This is just reality.

But there's more to this story than meets most eyes. There's also a real chance for redemption.

Republicans in 2004 won an historic victory, on the wave of an overwhelming coalition of fiscal, defense and social conservatives representing a large majority of all Americans. Record turn-out and organization of Evangelical Christians was key, as this group historically has not voted anywhere near its potential strength.

A hostile, global press decried their involvement, but these Christians are no fire-breathing mullahs: they are America's core, regular folks who go to work, raise families, and pursue the American dream. They mostly want governme…