“The Religious Right went into the elections with a Cadillac needing repair and came out of them with a Ford on three wheels,” said one senior strategist for the Republican congressional leadership. Perhaps the biggest loss was Sen. John Ashcroft’s defeat in Missouri by the late Gov. Mel Carnahan. Carnahan’s widow, Jean, promised to accept an appointment as senator if her husband won. He did, and she was appointed by the governor.
Ashcroft had crafted the charitable-choice legislation that ordered federal and federally funded state social programs not to discriminate against religious organizations as service providers. This provision will come up for renewal this year, as will welfare reform. Senate losses, which include defeats of incumbents Spencer Abraham of Michigan and Rod Grams of Minnesota, also means that Religious Right administrative and judicial appointments could be blocked.
In exchange for a senator, the Religious Right in Missouri got a well-regarded freshman congressman, Todd Aiken, who is well-known for fighting legalized gambling. Aiken is an alumnus of Covenant [Presbyterian] Theological Seminary in St. Louis. The Religious Right also picked up Senate seats in Virginia (George Allen) and Nevada (John Ensign) and 17 other open seats in the House.
Although voucher votes in California and Michigan lost by large margins, referendums on marriage fared better. Voters in California, Maine, Nebraska, Nevada, and Vermont reaffirmed the traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. And Judge Roy Moore, famous for posting the 10 Commandments in his courtroom, was elected chief justice of Alabama’s Supreme Court.
Related Elsewhere
Don’t miss Christianity Today‘s editorial on the election, “The Evil of Two Lessers.”
More religious spin on the election is available from Beliefnet and World magazine.
Other media coverage of the elections can be found at Yahoo’s full coverage area.
In last Friday’s New York Times, Gary Bauer urged Bush to be boldly conservative rather than bipartisan.
Richard Lessner, executive director of American Renewal, sounds as a similar, but more pessmistic note in the Los Angeles Times.
The Associated Press is reporting that Bush “is floating names of conservatives for White House staff and Cabinet positions that could soothe prickly relations with that wing of the GOP.” Those names include. John Ashcroft, Jim Gilmore, Linda Chavez, and Kay Coles James.
Other Christianity Today coverage of the 2000 election includes:
The Bush Agenda | Will the White House be user-friendly for religious organizations? (Dec. 15, 2000)
Bush’s Call to Prayer | After Al Gore’s concession, evangelical leaders unify around faith-based initiatives, morality, and prayer as the incoming Bush administration gears up. (Dec. 14, 2000)
Books & Culture Corner: Election Eve | Why isn’t anyone focusing on those who simply won’t bother to vote? (Nov. 6, 2000)
Books & Culture Corner: Pencils Down Part II | Think your vote matters? You poor, misguided fool. (Sept. 18, 2000)
Anniversary of Church Shootings Serves as Reminder for Bush | Presidential candidate promises to battle religious bigotry in wake of Texas tragedy. (Sept. 15, 2000)
Books & Culture Corner: Pencils Down, the Election’s Over | According to political scientists, Al Gore has already won. (Sept. 11, 2000)
A Presidential Hopeful’s Progress | The spiritual journey of George W. Bush starts in hardscrabble west Texas. Will the White House be his next stop? (Sept. 5, 2000)
A Jew for Vice-President? | Joseph Lieberman’s Torah observance could renew America’s moral debate. (Aug. 9, 2000)
Bush and Gore Size Up Prolife Running Mates | Will abortion stances play an influential role in Vice Presidential selection? (July 17, 2000)
Gary Bauer Can’t Go Home Again | Internal survey at Family Research Council says ‘partisan’ leader unwelcome. (Feb. 8, 2000)
Might for Right? | As presidential primaries get under way, Christian conservatives aim to win. (Feb. 3, 2000)
God Bless America’s Candidates | What the religious and mainstream presses are saying about religion on the campaign trail and other issues. (Dec. 10, 1999)
Conservatives Voice Support for Bauer (Nov. 15, 1999)
Bush’s Faith-Based Plans | Bush argues that private religious organizations can partner successfully with government. (October 25, 1999)
Can I get a Witness? | Candidate testimonies must move beyond piety to policy. (August 9, 1999)
Republican Candidates Court Conservatives Early, Often (Apr. 4, 1999)
Reconnecting with the Poor | If people are hurting, it’s our business. (Jan. 11, 1999)
