In 2012 Rick Santorum won the GOP Iowa Caucus thanks to evangelicals. In 2008 it was a victory for Mike Huckabee. In 2016 Ted Cruz is leading in the polls, followed by Donald Trump; Cruz’ support is primarily from the same evangelicals. Why such a drastic change? Huckabee, (2%), and Santorum, (1%), have virtually been eliminated from any chance to win in Iowa.

Polls of evangelicals in Iowa reveal several interesting reasons, and also their disregard for the freedom of religion guaranteed by the first amendment.

That said, their reasons for rejecting Huckabee and Santorum make some sense during this strange election year. They have witnessed the failures of those they previously supported, and they believe that Cruz, Trump, or even Carson have an opportunity to represent them in Washington.

Because evangelicals have no other concerns other than their extremist religious beliefs, the candidate’s positions on other issues have no relevance to them.

Here are some comments from Iowa voters.

“Cruz and Carson tap into a sense of resentment much more so than Huckabee and Santorum.” Me: I can see that with Cruz, less so with Carson, at least most days. But yes, I don’t think anger and resentment are the native language of either Huckabee or Santorum.”

“Huckabee and Santorum are has-beens who have run before and failed. Me: Yes, fresh faces do seem to do better in American politics.”

There was a great deal of reaction to Mike Huckabee’s unbending religious philosophy. His ‘do what I tell you to do or go to hell’ attitude has turned off many of Iowa’s evangelicals. They feel that he made a serious mistake in his support of Kentucky clerk Kim Davis. Many saw it as ‘opportunistic,’ and his failure to allow Ted Cruz an opportunity to join in the protest was viewed as political posturing.

But let’s not forget history. Although Huckabee won the Iowa Caucus in 2008, he was never in contention for the GOP nomination. The same is true for Santorum who won in 2012.

What does this all mean? Absolutely nothing during this campaign season. Anything goes in the GOP. If a horrible person such as Trump can continue to lead today, anyone who wagers on this year’s victor is a fool.

The GOP has offered no qualified or charismatic candidate. Trump’s success can be directly blamed on an imploding party which has no effective leadership.

I know I’m often redundant, but the truth must be told. Any predictions made by myself or any other individual who writes about politics in the United States have been dashed a very long time ago.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Source

Photo Courtesy of Gage Skidmore

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