Today I had a conversation with a friend of mine. She votes Republican because in her mind they are the party of "moral values." She is an evangelical christian and one of the nicest people you could meet.
She took time off from work under the Family Medical Leave Act to care for her son - a law Democrats passed despite Republican opposition. Today she complained to me about the cost of medical care. I politely said "I know. That's why I vote Democratic."
Then she told me "I despise the Republicans. They are only for the big corporations. But I have to vote against same sex marriage and abortion. The Bible says moral values are more important than material posessions. The Bible also says to seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added unto you."
How are we to reach these voters? There are probably several million voters in this country who think exactly like this when in the voting both. Look at the Pew study that's been posted here - many social conservatives want health care for all, a living minimuim wage, and do not favor tax cuts for the wealthy.
I didn't think of it at the time. But I should have said something like this: "The Bible also says you will know them by their fruit. What kind of fruit has the Republican Party produced for you?" I personally don't believe the Republican Party wants to overturn Roe v Wade unless they absolutely have to and its getting to that point. Why? What would they have left to offer these voters? These people are not going to pour out to vote for tax cuts for the wealthy. Can you image the evangelical churches getting these people to make phone calls about the Republican economic agenda? No - once they pass their social agenda the Republican Party would go straight back to being the party for the rich.
The only way I can think of how to reach these voters is for the Democrats to take a sharp turn to the economic left
and show Americans yes it does matter.