Another Structural Power Play: Church and State

Not surprisingly, the Christian Dominionists in Congress are trying to make sure that right-wing churches can openly and actively campaign for Republican candidates in 2006.

Social conservatives, frustrated by the lack of movement on a marriage amendment to the U.S. Constitution, are shifting their focus to passing legislation this year that would allow religious leaders to endorse political candidates from the pulpit.

Proponents of legislation sponsored by Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) say it is a step on the long journey to collecting enough support to pass a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

Just about everything Republican Congressional leadership is doing seems to be intended to reinforce their electoral dominance. Neutering 527 groups, expanding the "investor class" with SS privatization, undermining trial lawyers with tort reform, "supporting" Israel, etc. are intended to undermine key Democratic constituencies and expand Republican electoral majorities.

Some Republicans say the push for the Jones legislation will help the GOP's push to attract more support among African-Americans in 2006 and 2008.

Many Democrats and some Republicans say that the Jones bill is a thinly veiled attempt to bolster the Republican base of power in Washington.

The Rev. Barry Lynn of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State said the effort to pass a constitutional amendment on marriage and H.R. 235 are linked. The Jones bill would give new clout to conservative churches, which would use that authority to elect candidates who back a marriage amendment, he said.

Wedge issues are the lifeblood of the GOP, and they're sucking hard. Once they lift the "gag order" and free the tax-exempt hands of their evangelical brethren, you can expect an even higher tide of hatred, vitriol, and right-wing social conservative candidates in 2006.