Evangelicals (still) tiring of GOP

As we reported earlier, one of the biggest concerns among Republicans heading into the November elections is the party's faltering support among Conservative Christians. Now there is even more evidence that this is cause for GOP concern, reports Political Wire:


A new Pew Research Center poll finds that the rock solid support Republicans have been receiving from white evangelical Christians, who in 2004 "made up a quarter of the electorate, and 78 percent of them voted Republican," is beginning to crack.

Only 57% "of white evangelicals are inclined to vote for Republican congressional candidates in the midterm elections, a 21-point drop in support among this critical part of the GOP base," reports the Washington Post.

Even more worrying for the GOP: the poll was taken before the revelation of the Foley sex scandal.

Again, the issue isn't necessarily that they'll vote Democratic (although poll opens up that possibility). More likely scenario: disaffection dampens Christian fundamentalist turnout, which is especially a problem when Democratic constituencies appear energized for November.