Republicans risk alienating moderates

By HELEN TUNNAH

WASHINGTON - George Bush's evangelical credentials have secured him solid Christian support in November's presidential election, but academics in the swing states of Washington and Illinois warn a move to the right could damage the Republican party.

"It has made it a somewhat inhospitable place for moderate Republicans," Wayne State University urban studies director Dr Lyke Thompson said in Detroit.

"The Republicans have left behind their moderate wing and it is starting to jump ship."

Similar sentiment is heard from Seattle politics professor Bryan Jones, who said the Christian rights talk on civil unions and abortion, and attacks on stem cell research, did not sit well with educated, centrist voters.

"Moderates in the suburbs of the state of Washington have been somewhat repelled over this, even while agreeing with the Republicans on tax cuts and limited government."

Both states juggle heavily Democratic cities with Republican-dominated rural towns and regions.

Both are expected to be won by Democrat candidate John Kerry, a Roman Catholic attacked by Christian conservatives for his pro-choice stance on abortion, and support for ending discrimination against gays.

Ballots opposing civil unions -- by ensuring marriage is retained as an institution for only a man and a woman -- will appear on at least three state voting papers in next month's election, including in Michigan.

Two court cases about partial birth abortion are being heard in Washington state courts, with an appeal possible to the federal Supreme Court in at least one case.

That has prompted an increased focus on the Christian debate this election, with the next President expected to have to appoint up to three Supreme Court judges -- enough to tip the court on issues such as abortion and affirmative action.

Polls suggest three per cent of Americans will vote on issues such as same sex marriage or abortion -- ahead of both the economy and the Iraq war.

There has also been controversy over links between the Republicans and evangelical churches in swing states, particularly Pennsylvania where voter registration forms are handed out following politically partial sermons.

The conservative Christian Coalition -- which confirmed it works with like-minded organisations in both New Zealand and Australia -- shuns formal endorsement of candidates but makes its preferences clear by listing politicians' voting records on its website.

The coalition's Washington executive director, Rick Forcier, repeatedly praised Mr Bush's family and Christian credentials while speaking with visiting journalists, adding many Christians had problems with Kerry.

"He calls himself a Roman Catholic. How can you be a Catholic and be (for) abortion?"

However Mr Forcier said while he supported churches helping congregations to register to vote, candidates should be careful not to exploit links between religion and politics.

"I think many pastors are aware of that and they don't like to have politics come into the pulpits."

* Helen Tunnah's visit to the United States was paid for by the State Department.