(Washington, DC) ThePulse2016.com released its first installment of the “Social Conservative Insider Poll” today, which collected the opinions of 29 of the most respected and well-known social conservatives on what presidential candidates should say on a variety of political issues – specifically on the social issues.
The first installment features the conservative leaders’ thoughts on how GOP presidential candidates should react to the Supreme Court’s anticipated ruling on gay marriage. The Social Conservative Insider Poll can be found on ThePulse2016.com here.
ThePulse 2016 asked the 29 social conservative leaders what they hoped to hear from GOP presidential candidates if the Supreme Court “finds a right” to gay marriage in our Constitution.
In terms of rhetoric, the response was summed up by one insider, who said simply, “It’s not over.”
The Court’s decision is “nothing more than legislating from the bench,” another insider said. “From all of [the candidates], I am looking for a Lincoln-esque response—that the decision, like Dred Scott, is wrong and unacceptable.”
The idea of reaffirming the basic nature of marriage was mentioned a great deal by these social conservative insiders. “Quickly and clearly affirm God’s design for marriage as one man and one woman,” one said. Another insider said: “I want candidates to make the larger case that marriage has been in all cultures between a man and a woman and why children need a mother and father.”
One prominent conservative activist said he is looking for acknowledgement that these are GOP-appointed justices making this decision and called for a more thorough vetting process for judicial nominees.
The Pulse 2016 asked their insiders to choose which is more important to them: a candidate who supports a constitutional amendment or a candidate who will promise to pass practical religious liberty legislation, such as the First Amendment Defense Act, to protect the c3 status of Christian schools and ministries.
Many said “both” or refused to choose. But when asked to choose, the Social Conservative insiders prioritized practical religious liberty protection by a 3-1 margin. “While I would love to see a constitutional amendment passed, I have been unable to come up with any political scenario that results in the super-majority necessary to pass one,” said one conservative.
Even the “both ands” recognized the importance of religious protections: “I would want to see the presidential candidates be specific about legislation they would support in the first 100 days, which secures the religious liberty of Americans who believe in marriage, and, at the same time, be clear about the ultimate goal of a constitutional amendment to protection marriage,” said one activist.
Several volunteered that they are looking for a pledge of executive action immediately. “I’d want to hear them pledge to move quickly to scour Federal Agencies for any indication that such a ruling by the court would be used to impinge on any American’s right of conscience or free expression of faith, and to vigorously interdict any such attempts,” said another.
When asked whether they will be paying particular attention to any GOP candidates’responses – Paul, Walker, Bush, Christie, Trump, and Rubio were all specifically named. “If they say the Court has spoken and it’s time to move on, that will be completely unacceptable,” noted one insider.
Above all particulars, social conservatives are looking for courage and leadership on marriage. “I feel very strongly that the candidate needs to show leadership on marriage, by refusing to be intimidated and using his or her bully pulpit to argue for natural marriage,” as one social conservative leader put it.
The Social Conservative Insider Poll consists of:
Gary Bauer, Kim Bengard, Frank Cannon, Clint Cline, Steve Deace, Chuck Donovan, Erick Erickson, Michael Farris, Maggie Gallagher, Kathryn Lopez, Shannon McGinley, Eric Metaxas, Gaston Mooney, Frank Schubert, Alan Sears, Todd Starnes, Bob Vander Plaats, Bill Witchterman, Becky Norton-Dunlop, Penny Nance, Marjorie Dannenfelser, Tony Perkins, Ellen Barrosse, James Robison, Fr. Frank Pavone, Dr. James Dobson, David Barton, Marvin Olasky, and Charmaine Yoest.