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Do you want to return to the way it was before the religious right became part of the GOP coalition? If that happens, the Republican Party will be dead. Its majorities in both the House and Senate soon would evaporate and the party would be unable to elect a president, as in 1976, when Gerald Ford was defeated. Those who want to return to that era are welcome. I prefer victory.

Each new senator elected in 2004 had the support of the religious right, even Johnny Isakson of Georgia who entered the race as a moderate and who now has pledged to support most pro-life and pro-family initiatives. There is no doubt that John Thune (Mo.), David Vitter (La.), Mel Martinez (Fla.), Jim DeMint (S.C.), Richard Burr (N.C.) and Tom Coburn (Okla.) would not be in the Senate today but for the strong backing of values voters. Would former Senator Danforth care to return to the time when no legislation backed by values voters was passed, even legislation the establishment salivates over, because liberals controlled Congress?

I agree that the values voters can't get everything they want. No part of a coalition can expect that. But unless they get enough action to the point that they feel it is worth staying they will be gone as soon as you can say "religious extremists."

I have not heard the party leadership answer the Danforth viewpoint. I suggest the leaders do so by the actions they take. We formerly got the rhetoric, and the establishment the action. Perhaps now the reverse can be true.

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Paul M. Weyrich is Chairman and CEO of the Free Congress Foundation.

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.

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