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On May 22, 2008 a new era began in the history of what is called the "Religious Right. "Republican presidential candidate John McCain rejected the endorsements of two of the leading Evangelical pastors in the United States, Pastor John Hagee and Rev. Rod Parsley. The impact of McCain publicly disavowing these two major figures will create a new alignment among politically-active religious conservatives and the political parties.

In my recent book Onward, Christian Soldiers: the Growing Political Power of Catholics and Evangelicals in the United States, I wrote a final chapter entitled, "Can the Democrats Get Religion, Can the Republicans Keep It?" I predicted the 2008 election would bring about a struggle within the Democratic Party to close the "God Gap," while within the GOP those uncomfortable with the influence of conservative Christians would seek to push them to the sidelines.

The new emphasis on discussing personal faith among Democrats appears to be working. (It is noticeable however, that the label "theocrat" has yet to be applied to Obama or Clinton, as it was to Bush and other Republican leaders who discussed their personal faith.)

Among Republicans the move of religious conservatives to the campaign fringe has come about for two reasons, one intentional, the other accidental. When John McCain was nominated, Republican voters knew that the Religious Right wasn't going to play the role it had with Bush in 2000 and 2004. The natural affinity didn't exist between these religious activists and the religiously-reserved McCain.

The expectation remained, however, that through an effective faith outreach, the McCain campaign would bring reluctant religious conservatives into the fold. It would be a tough sell, but given the choice between Obama, the 'infanticide candidate,' and the pro-life McCain, religiously-active voters would come around.

Then the unforeseen happened: Rev. John Hagee, the mega-church pastor from San Antonio, was charged with anti-Catholic statements by Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights. McCain, hesitant to offend Evangelicals, waited over a week before issuing a statement repudiating Hagee's comments. By that time, the damage was done to Hagee among Catholics, many of whom were upset it took so long for McCain to respond. Not only did the Hagee affair threaten Catholic support, but it also cast a shadow over the 30-year coalition of Catholics and Evangelicals that make up the religious right.

The unexpected apology by Rev. Hagee to Bill Donohue, and their subsequent warm meeting in New York City, appeared to have put the controversy to rest. It didn't last. The Huffington Post unearthed a video of Hagee describing Adolph Hitler as God's "hunter" who forced Jews to create the state of Israel. This time McCain did not hesitate -- the next day he rejected Hagee's endorsement and added a rejection of anti-Muslim Ohio televangelist, Rev. Rod Parsley as well.

"Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible, and I repudiate them. I did not know of them before Rev. Hagee's endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well."

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