Wooing radical Christians won't do GOP any good

Reuters reports Giuliani courting the religious right in the USA, just like Romney. Although this could be a good strategy to win votes in an upcoming election, it is doubtlessly a shot in the foot if long-term voter support is sought.

OK, so Giuliani got a lukewarm reception because those present couldn't face the fact he is for abortion rights, while Romney keeps getting bad looks because of his Mormon faith. It looks like the Republican candidates are trying to woo the nastiest and, among their ranks, dumbest people in the country. Despite the presence of intellectual people in the religious right galaxy it is beyond question that many of the nasties are probably unable to spot their brain from cow dung.

Although I recognize everyone's right to base their vote on whatever characteristic they deem of value in the candidate, I also advocate candidates shaping public opinion instead of just following. The extremes of the religious right's ideology do the country no good and will never do. If we followed their ideas we'd be living in caves. Fine with debating deeply rooted moral values, fine with disagreeing on them. But for Christ's sake sometimes the debate resembles two deaf men shouting at each other. Having these people's heads stuck in their backsides (here's the cause of the narrow vision or lack thereof) is of no help either. Many of them would gladly tread on universally cherished freedoms and rights. R.I.P America the land of freedoms if the religious right gets real power.

This courting of people who would love to impale anyone who differs from them leaves the centre ground open for the Democrats to conquer and secure. By the time Republicans awake to a series of defeats everywhere except their much-coveted Bible Belt it will be too late to recapture the centre.

I say the Republican candidates should take that stain on America's freedoms that is the religious right and try to wash it off by bringing it slowly towards accepting the notion of freedom and individual rights. These preachers should try to conquer people's minds rather than force their ideology on others through the government. And candidates should come across as strong and determined leaders rather than cihuahuas on a leash held by lobbies.

They should do it for the sake of their party's future.