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A GOP struggle for the podium
Conservative Christians feel slighted by party's moderate picks for prime convention slots.

...Conservative activist Phyllis Schlafly said she thought her party was engaged in a misguided attempt to spotlight moderate "political celebrities" who play well to a liberal media. Janice Crouse, a leader of Concerned Women for America, said President Bush should worry more about evangelical Christian voters, or he will jeopardize their support in tight races in the crucial swing states. "The gays and pro-abortion people are saying you've got to add a plank," Crouse said. "If the president adds that plank, they will nail him to it." Christian Coalition founder Pat Robertson is talking about not going to New York at all.

"Apparently political stars get rewarded with a prime-time convention spot if they disagree with President Bush's position" on a constitutional gay marriage ban, "as well as … President Bush's position on the right to life," conservative columnist Paul Weyrich said. "They can also disagree with the president's position on capital punishment, guns and a host of other issues."

"As an Orthodox Christian, I am outraged that men like this would be highlighted," Weyrich said. "If the president is embarrassed to be seen with conservatives at the convention, maybe conservatives will be embarrassed to be seen with the president on election day."...

...But so far, she said, the lineup of speakers creates the impression that the Bush campaign is trying to distance itself from evangelical Christian supporters in an attempt at "avoiding controversy," she said. "We've been painted as extremists, in terms that nobody would want to play up their association to."...