Aggregating the fascinating

1. LIFE
This is number one for a reason. Evangelical pro-lifers believe that millions of babies are being murdered through abortion every year. Imagine for a minute that you believe life begins at conception, and you’ll recognize that this is greater in scope than the Holocaust. The Democratic party has a tin ear when it comes to abortion, and they would do much better with Evangelicals if they abandoned their with-us-or-against-us stance.
2. GAY MARRIAGE
Dems should take the hint that when American voters overwhelmingly reject gay marriage, it’s a good idea to shut up about it. America doesn’t want this now (and Evangelicals believe it’s evil), so stop pushing for it.
3. THE ACLU
The top three organizations that Evangelicals hate and mock the most are Planned Parenthood, NOW, and the ACLU. This has much to do with points 1 and 2. Each of these is a huge contributor to the DNC, and Evangelicals know it. The Democratic party especially needs to distance itself from the ACLU, whoose lawyers seem increasingly eager to beat up on everything Evangelicals like (God, prayer, scripture, the Boy Scouts) while defending Islamic terrorists, pedophiles, and atheists.
4. WAL-MART
America shops here, America works here, America owns stock here. Evangelicals also love American Idol, NASCAR, pick-up trucks, In-and-Out burgers, country music, and Barbie. They go to church, shop at Family Dollar, and think Red Lobster is a really nice dinner out. To win in Flyover country, snotty Democrats must stop bashing the plain, heavily commercial lives of ordinary Americans.
5. THE MILITARY AND TERRORISM:
Evangelicals admire the military. Many of them have served in it. They have “Support the Troops” magnets where liberals have little Darwin fish, and they’re proud of it. Evangelicals think Islamic terrorism is a serious threat, and they want to see you doing something about it.
6. GUNS
Evangelicals like guns. They hunt; they go to the shooting range; they keep loaded guns in their cars and front hall closets. They want their kids to know how to use guns, and they don’t want to wait for 48 hours or show eight forms of ID to buy bullets. Bad: John Kerry-style faux hunting. Good: looser gun laws.

American Evangelicals (or “Values Voters”) helped bring the Republicans to power, and they were a major force in keeping Bush in office two years ago. If Democrats want to win in 2006 (or ever), they’d do well to pay attention.

Related Blogburst here.