Demagogue

Do the Religious Right leaders who have a firm grip on the GOP accurately reflect the views of ordinary Republicans? I don't think so, and I believe this is confirmed by a new poll released by the Cook Political Report/RT Strategies:

"I am going to read a list of people who might seek the Republican nomination for president in 2008, and I will read the list twice. I would like you to tell me who would be your first choice for the nomination."

John McCain ...... 25%
Rudy Giuliani ..... 25%
Newt Gingrich ..... 12%
Bill Frist ............. 5%
Rick Santorum ..... 4%
Mitt Romney ....... 4%
George Allen ....... 3%
George Pataki .... 3%
Mike Huckabee .... 2%
Mark Sanford ...... 2%
Chuck Hagel ...... 2%
Sam Brownback .... 1%
Unsure ............. 14%

Total up the support for McCain, Giuliani, Pataki and Hagel, and you've got 55% of Republican voters supporting potential candidates whom the Religious Right would never permit as nominees (for one reason or another -- their views on abortion, gay rights, school prayer, etc.)

Given Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's support for stem-cell research, one could argue that 60% of grassroots Republicans support presidential hopefuls whom the GOP's evangelical kingmakers would consider unacceptable.

Take it to the bank: The GOP presidential nominee in 2008 will not be McCain, Giuliani or Pataki.