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Trump makes inroads with evangelicals, undermining Cruz Trump makes inroads with evangelicals, undermining Cruz
(about 1 hour later)
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Republican front-runner Donald Trump is amassing new support among the nation’s evangelicals with just days to go before the Iowa caucuses, undercutting his rival Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and baffling many conservative Christians who distrust Trump. IOWA CITY — Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump is amassing new support among the nation’s evangelicals with just days to go before the Iowa caucuses, undercutting his rival Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) and baffling many conservative Christians who distrust Trump.
Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr., the son of the late televangelist, endorsed Trump on Tuesday, providing the blessing of one of the born-again Christian community’s biggest names. The announcement came days after Dallas megachurch pastor Robert Jeffress declared he is “absolutely convinced that Donald Trump would make a great president,” and a week after evangelical favorite Sarah Palin endorsed Trump. Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., the son of the late television evangelist, endorsed Trump on Tuesday, providing the blessing of one of the born-again Christian community’s biggest names. The announcement came days after Dallas megachurch pastor Robert Jeffress declared he is “absolutely convinced that Donald Trump would make a great president” and a week after evangelical ­favorite Sarah Palin endorsed Trump.
Falwell’s endorsement set off a round of criticism from fellow leaders and activists who don’t understand why he would align himself with a candidate who has been married three times, once identified as “very pro-choice,” talks flippantly about killing people and attacks others in deeply personal ways.Falwell’s endorsement set off a round of criticism from fellow leaders and activists who don’t understand why he would align himself with a candidate who has been married three times, once identified as “very pro-choice,” talks flippantly about killing people and attacks others in deeply personal ways.
“It makes me wonder about our religious leadership,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, which promotes and support candidates who oppose abortion. “They seem to be suspending their disbelief and just jumping in.”“It makes me wonder about our religious leadership,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, which promotes and support candidates who oppose abortion. “They seem to be suspending their disbelief and just jumping in.”
Evangelicals are a major force in the Iowa caucuses, and they are a natural audience for Cruz, the son of an evangelical preacher who speaks their language and has a record of fighting for conservative issues. But Cruz has faced some unexpected competition from Trump, who has resonated with evangelical voters who like his politically incorrect stances, his no-holds-barred attitude and his high poll numbers. Evangelicals are a crucial bloc in the Iowa caucuses, and they are a natural audience for Cruz, the son of an evangelical preacher who has a record of fighting for conservative issues. But Cruz has faced unexpected competition from Trump, who has resonated with evangelical voters who like his politically incorrect stances, his no-holds-barred attitude and his high poll numbers.
“Evangelicals, as well as all conservatives, are absolutely convinced that this nation will not survive another third term of Barack Obama in the form of Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders,” Jeffress, who leads the 12,000-member First Baptist Dallas, said at a Trump rally on Saturday in northwestern Iowa. “As evangelicals survey the landscape of possible candidates, they are increasingly coming to the conclusion that there is only one candidate who can beat the Democrat nominee in November, and his name is Donald J. Trump.”“Evangelicals, as well as all conservatives, are absolutely convinced that this nation will not survive another third term of Barack Obama in the form of Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders,” Jeffress, who leads the 12,000-member First Baptist Dallas, said at a Trump rally on Saturday in northwestern Iowa. “As evangelicals survey the landscape of possible candidates, they are increasingly coming to the conclusion that there is only one candidate who can beat the Democrat nominee in November, and his name is Donald J. Trump.”
[Poll: Republicans see Trump as most electable among GOP hopefuls][Poll: Republicans see Trump as most electable among GOP hopefuls]
While Trump and Cruz represent the top tier in the Iowa race, the rush for evangelicals goes beyond that pair. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has been courting them in ads and at events, and in recent days has repeatedly brought up his faith. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum — both winners of past caucuses — have their own bases of support among religious conservatives. So does retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who once led Iowa polls. While Trump and Cruz represent the top tier in the Iowa race, the rush for evangelicals goes beyond that pair. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida has been courting them in ads and at events, and in recent days has repeatedly brought up his faith. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and former senator Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania — both past caucus winners — have their own bases of support among religious conservatives. So does retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson, who once led Iowa polls.
For months, the dynamics of the Iowa race fell mostly along traditional lines, with Cruz, Carson, Huckabee, Santorum, and others meeting with pastors and attending services as they slowly picked up support and expanded their campaigns. Cruz and Carson, in particular, as first-time candidates and regular guests on cable news shows, became early favorites. More mainstream candidates clumped together in New Hampshire, which holds the nation’s first primary eight days after the Iowa caucuses.For months, the dynamics of the Iowa race fell mostly along traditional lines, with Cruz, Carson, Huckabee, Santorum, and others meeting with pastors and attending services as they slowly picked up support and expanded their campaigns. Cruz and Carson, in particular, as first-time candidates and regular guests on cable news shows, became early favorites. More mainstream candidates clumped together in New Hampshire, which holds the nation’s first primary eight days after the Iowa caucuses.
Trump floated above the fray for much of that time, ever in the headlines but with no clear path among religious voters. He tapped Chuck Laudner, a former adviser to Santorum, to organize an Iowa campaign but did not make outreach to evangelicals a central part of his strategy there or nationally.Trump floated above the fray for much of that time, ever in the headlines but with no clear path among religious voters. He tapped Chuck Laudner, a former adviser to Santorum, to organize an Iowa campaign but did not make outreach to evangelicals a central part of his strategy there or nationally.
That began to change late last year as Cruz rose in Iowa and Trump devoted more time and efforts to cutting into Cruz’s support. Instead of eschewing Iowa and lowering expectations, he began to go for it with new intensity. There were calls to pastors, private phone conversations and, by this Sunday, a visit to a Presbyterian church in Muscatine. That began to change late last year as Cruz rose in Iowa and Trump devoted more time and effort to cutting into Cruz’s support. Rather than eschewing Iowa and lowering expectations, he began to go for it with new intensity. There were calls to pastors, private phone conversations and, by this Sunday, a visit to a Presbyterian church in Muscatine.
Trump is Presbyterian, although church leaders in Manhattan say he is not an active member of any of their congregations. In explaining his religious life, Trump and his surrogates often point to things he has done in his life -- random acts of kindness to strangers, not drinking or smoking, raising five kids who have yet to make scandalous tabloid news -- instead of where he attends church or what he specifically believes about God. Trump is Presbyterian, although church leaders in Manhattan say he is not an active member of any of their congregations. In explaining his religious life, Trump and his surrogates often point to things he has done — acts of kindness to strangers, not drinking or smoking, raising five children who have yet to make scandalous tabloid news —not where he attends church or what he specifically believes about God.
[The two parties can’t agree on the problems, let alone the solutions][The two parties can’t agree on the problems, let alone the solutions]
Trump often finds himself in a religion contest with Cruz and his attempts to look religious can come across as forced. Trump has described Holy Communion as “I drink my little wine... and have my little cracker.” In an interview last summer, he declined to name his favorite Bible verse, then during a visit to Liberty University on Jan. 18, Trump cited “Two Corinthians” instead of “Second Corinthians,” prompting Cruz to joke before a group of voters in Iowa on Monday: “Two Corinthians walk into a bar...” Trump at times seemingly finds himself in a religion contest with Cruz, and his attempts to look religious have occasionally come across as forced. Trump has described Holy Communion as “I drink my little wine . . . and have my little cracker.” Then during a visit to Liberty University on Jan. 18, Trump cited “Two Corinthians” instead of “Second Corinthians,” prompting Cruz to joke before a group of voters in Iowa on Monday: “Two Corinthians walk into a bar . . .”
Trump has explained the mistake by saying that his mother from Scotland used to say “Two Corinthians” and that he was reading from notes provided to him by Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, a conservative policy and lobbying organization.Trump has explained the mistake by saying that his mother from Scotland used to say “Two Corinthians” and that he was reading from notes provided to him by Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, a conservative policy and lobbying organization.
Perkins said in a CNN interview he was “guilty as charged” for writing out the verse as 2 Corinthians 3:17 instead of providing Trump was a script. Perkins said in a CNN interview he was “guilty as charged” for writing out the verse as 2 Corinthians 3:17 instead of providing Trump with a script.
“It shows that he’s not familiar with Bible,” Perkins said on CNN. “Donald Trump’s a very interesting guy. There are some things about him that I find fascinating, that I like about him, as well as other evangelicals.”“It shows that he’s not familiar with Bible,” Perkins said on CNN. “Donald Trump’s a very interesting guy. There are some things about him that I find fascinating, that I like about him, as well as other evangelicals.”
In the coming days and at the next GOP debate on Thursday, abortion could become a dominant issue as it’s one of great importance to most evangelicals and one Cruz is trying to use to draw a clear distinction between himself and Trump, whom he doesn’t consider a true conservative. In the coming days and at the next GOP debate on Thursday, abortion could become a dominant issue, as it’s one of great importance to most evangelicals and one Cruz is trying to draw a distinction between himself and Trump, whom he doesn’t consider a true social conservative.
Cruz released an attack ad on Monday that features, among other things, a 1999 interview during which the late Tim Russert asks Trump if he would support a partial-birth abortion ban as president and Trump responds: “I am pro-choice in every respect.” Super PACs supporting Cruz’s candidacy have also released an ad using the clip. Cruz released an attack ad on Monday that features a 1999 interview during which the late Tim Russert asks Trump whether he would support a ban on partial-birth abortion as president, and Trump responds: “I am pro-choice in every respect.” Super PACs supporting Cruz’s candidacy have also released an ad using the clip.
Trump responded on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Tuesday, saying: “First of all, I am pro-life, and everyone understands that. I’m pro-life.” He then shifted to defending himself against a different attack. Trump responded Tuesday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” saying: “First of all, I am pro-life, and everyone understands that. I’m pro-life.”
[Ted Cruz, under siege in Iowa, tries to play ‘underdog’][Ted Cruz, under siege in Iowa, tries to play ‘underdog’]
On Tuesday afternoon, 10 female antiabortion activists wrote in an open letter to Iowa Republican caucus-goers, urging them “support anyone but Donald Trump.” The women wrote that Trump cannot be trusted to defend unborn children and alleged he had “impugned the dignity of women” with his crass comments.On Tuesday afternoon, 10 female antiabortion activists wrote in an open letter to Iowa Republican caucus-goers, urging them “support anyone but Donald Trump.” The women wrote that Trump cannot be trusted to defend unborn children and alleged he had “impugned the dignity of women” with his crass comments.
“America will only be a great nation when we have leaders of strong character who will defend both unborn children and the dignity of women,” the letter states. “We cannot trust Donald Trump to do either. Therefore we urge our fellow citizens to support an alternative candidate.”“America will only be a great nation when we have leaders of strong character who will defend both unborn children and the dignity of women,” the letter states. “We cannot trust Donald Trump to do either. Therefore we urge our fellow citizens to support an alternative candidate.”
The 10 signers are all women and include Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List, Beverly LaHaye and Penny Nance of Concerned Women for America, and Jenifer Bowen and Kendra Burger of Iowa Right to Life.The 10 signers are all women and include Dannenfelser of the Susan B. Anthony List, Beverly LaHaye and Penny Nance of Concerned Women for America, and Jenifer Bowen and Kendra Burger of Iowa Right to Life.
Until this week, Trump has largely escaped public questions about abortion on the campaign trail. When questions about abortion come up at town halls, Trump often provides a quick curt answer: “I am pro-life.” When one questioner pushed harder on the issue, asking whether Trump wants to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, the candidate simply said that getting enough Supreme Court justices to agree to that would be a challenge. Until this week, Trump has usually escaped public questions about abortion on the campaign trail. When questions about abortion come up at town halls, Trump often provides a curt answer: “I am pro-life.” When one questioner pushed harder on the issue, asking whether Trump wants to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision, the candidate simply said that getting enough Supreme Court justices to agree to that would be a challenge.
When asked why it has taken so long for antiabortion activists to speak out against Trump, Dannenfelser said: “Because he’s a great dealmaker, and he’s a really nice guy.”When asked why it has taken so long for antiabortion activists to speak out against Trump, Dannenfelser said: “Because he’s a great dealmaker, and he’s a really nice guy.”
Dannenfelser said Trump is the only Republican presidential candidate she has not met with, but she said she was impressed that he agreed to fully defund Planned Parenthood and that he voiced support for the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would have banned abortion after 20 weeks. Dannenfelser said she doesn’t hold Trump’s 1999 comments about abortion against him as “there are converts all over the planet.” Dannenfelser said Trump is the only Republican presidential candidate she has not met with, but she said she was impressed that he agreed to fully defund Planned Parenthood and that he voiced support for the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, which would have banned most abortions after 20 weeks. Dannenfelser said she doesn’t hold Trump’s 1999 comments about abortion against him, as “there are converts all over the planet.”
“He said a couple of things to appease pro-lifers along the way,” said Dannenfelser, who has not endorsed anyone but has spent time on the campaign trail with Carly Fiorina. “We ought to hold out for someone better than that.”“He said a couple of things to appease pro-lifers along the way,” said Dannenfelser, who has not endorsed anyone but has spent time on the campaign trail with Carly Fiorina. “We ought to hold out for someone better than that.”
Trump wrote in an op-ed published on the Washington Examiner’s website on Jan. 23 that his views on abortion were changed by a “personal experience that brought the precious gift of life into perspective for me.” Trump wrote that he now opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest or if the mother’s life is in danger. He also wrote that giving government funding to abortion providers is “an insult to people of conscience at the least and an affront to good governance at best.” Trump wrote in an op-ed published on the Washington Examiner’s website on Jan. 23 that his views on abortion were changed by a “personal experience that brought the precious gift of life into perspective for me.” Trump wrote that he now opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest or if the woman’s life is in danger. He also wrote that giving government funding to abortion providers is “an insult to people of conscience at the least and an affront to good governance at best.”
Costa reported from Des Moines.Costa reported from Des Moines.