Ashcroft Bails Out Of Presidential Race.Religious Right favorite John D. Ashcroft has shelved plans to run for president in 2000. The Missouri Republican announced Jan. 5 that he will concentrate on running for reelection re·e·lect also re-e·lect tr.v. re·e·lect·ed, re·e·lect·ing, re·e·lects To elect again. re to his U.S. Senate seat instead. A hard-fought battle with Democratic Gov. Mel Carnahan is expected. Ashcroft's move disappointed his fan club in the Religious Right. The Missourian was rapidly becoming that movement's consensus candidate in the GOP presidential primary. "I'm disappointed," Free Congress Foundation (FCF FCF Free Cash Flow FCF Free Congress Foundation (conservative activist group) FCF Feline Conservation Federation FCF Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship FCF Functional Check Flight FCF Fluids and Combustion Facility ) leader Paul Weyrich told The Washington Post. "I have felt that if conservatives ever got together on a single candidate that we could definitely impact, if not outfight v. t. 1. to exceed in fighting; fight more competently; as, He outfought his challengers; the boxer outfought his opponent for eight rounds but lost the bout in the ninth on a knockout s>. 2. to defeat in a battle; as, The French forces outfought the Germans s>. win, the nomination." Others who seemed to be in Ashcroft's camp included major Religious Right figures such as TV preacher and Christian Coalition Christian Coalition, organization founded to advance the agenda of political and social conservatives, mostly comprised of evangelical Protestant Republicans, and to preserve what it deems traditional American values. Chairman Pat Robertson, Council for National Policy founder Tim LaHaye, American Family Association The American Family Association (AFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes conservative Christian values.[1][2][3][4] It was founded in 1977 by Rev. President Donald Wildmon, homeschool home·school or home-school v. home·schooled, home·school·ing, home·schools v.tr. To instruct (a pupil, for example) in an educational program outside of established schools, especially in the home. advocate Michael Farris and Eagle Forum leader Phyllis Schlafly. But the Religious Right's support was a decidedly mixed blessing for Ashcroft. Political observers said the Missouri senator needed to move toward the center to secure the GOP nomination and win the presidency. But his friends on the fight criticized every effort in that direction. In a Nov. 30 speech to the Detroit Economic Club, Ashcroft emphasized economic and tax reduction issues with broad appeal and seemed to discount the Religious Right's social agenda. "We must embrace the power of faith," he said, "but we must not confuse politics with piety. For me, may I say, it is against my religion to impose my religion." This seemingly noncontroversial remark set off a firestorm on the right, with FCF's Weyrich denouncing the nod toward centrism cen·trism n. The political philosophy of avoiding the extremes of right and left by taking a moderate position. centrism adherence to a middle-of-the-road position, neither left nor right, as in politics. as "a recipe for disaster." The two later mended fences, but Weyrich remained cool. "I told him you simply can't afford to have your base in an uproar over speeches you give." Ashcroft's withdrawal leaves Religious Right forces without a favorite. Former Christian Coalition Executive Director Ralph Reed told The New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Times that the move left "a large chunk of the religious conservatives' leadership all dressed up for the prom without a date." But the decision is nonetheless a cause for rejoicing among possible Republican candidates who also are seeking Religious Right support. These include Gary Bauer (who took a leave of absence from the Family Research Council in January to explore White House possibilities), Steve Forbes, Dan Quayle, Elizabeth Dole, Sen. Bob Smith and Alan Keyes. The AFA's Wildmon has already moved into the Bauer camp. The Christian Coalition's Robertson, meanwhile, is jockeying to play a kingmaker king·mak·er n. One who has the political power to influence the selection of a candidate for high public office. king role in the GOP race for the White House. According to the Manchester, N.H., Union Leader, Robertson and his New Hampshire Christian Coalition affiliate are scheduled to host a "First In The Nation Presidential Primary Gala Celebration" Feb. 6. Confirmed speakers include Bauer, Forbes and Keyes. Other GOP presidential contenders are invited. |
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