This primary season, evangelicals have been thrashing around in the political marketplace looking for a consistent conservative who can restrain the government, revive the economy, and, of course, defeat Barack Obama. Their support has moved from Tim Pawlenty to Michele Bachmann, then to Rick Perry, followed by Herman Cain. After Cain’s departure, many evangelicals broke for Newt Gingrich, and many remain there. But that’s where it gets really interesting. David French at Patheos.com marvels at this alliance. He asks, “If evangelicals choose to reject numerous alternatives and wrap both arms around a serial philandering, hopelessly grandiose politician, then what is our distinctive witness in this process?”
An equally unlikely beneficiary of evangelical backing (or what should be unlikely), but for different reasons, is Ron Paul. The Texas congressman and libertarian icon has been rising in the polls as some jaded Newt supporters have been joining his ardent base of devotees, many of whom are evangelical Christians.
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