by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright October 24, 1999
All Rights Reserved.

eversing his polarity, Moral Majority leader Rev. Jerry Falwell stunned the Christian fundamentalist community by deviating from biblical scripture and apparently recanting his long-standing position on homosexuality. Emerging from the shadows, Falwell stepped out into the sunshine — and the limelight — of the current election cycle. Following 'compassionate conservative' George W. Bush’s lead, Falwell is now pulling Christian fundamentalists in the same direction. "It’s wrong to hate homosexuals and those who lift a violent hand against them invite the wrath of God upon themselves," said a conciliatory Rev. Falwell, alluding to the spate of hate crimes against gays — like the Matthew Shepherd incident — but stopping well short of endorsing or defending homosexuality.

       With the religious right all but excluded from current Republican plans, Falwell’s gesture suggests that they’re now falling in line with moderate Republican strategy. Making amends to a group of 400 pro-gay and lesbian delegates invited to Liberty University — led by Laguna Beach, gay Rev. Mel White — Falwell conceded, "We believe a homosexual lifestyle is wrong. But we are commanded by Christ to . . . love the sinner even more than we hate the sin." Diplomatic as it sounds, does it really signal a change of position or just politically correct public rhetoric? "I’m not only hopeful," remarked Rev. White, "I’m convinced he’s sincere," wanting so passionately to end the years of intolerance witnessed in the Fundamentalist community. Though 11th hour conversions are always possible, the verdict is still out on whether Falwell’s gesture is anything other than a clever publicity stunt.

       Like Patrick Buchanan’s longshot bid for president, the religious right also needs an hospitable place, having been rudely pushed out the door in recent years. With George W. Bush’s virtual lock on the Republican nomination, his message of 'compassionate conservatism' has little room for intolerance of any kind. Buchanan’s 'populist' views appeal to the ever-shrinking working class WASP community, whose jobs were mythically usurped by current immigration patterns and bilateral accords, like the North American Free Trade Agreement [NAFTA]. Blaming misguided trade agreements and minorities for displacing American workers plays well in Coeur d’Alene but not on main street USA. George W. Bush and the new Republican party know all too well the dramatic demographic changes in the electorate over the past 10 years.

       With George W. Bush reaching across ethnic, racial and economic divisions, there’s little room for candidates like Buchanan in the new Republican party. Though Bush has said there’s room for all, Buchanan has his own ideas, flirting with bailing out and leaping to the Reform Party. Disenfranchised by the two-party system, the Reform party attracts political nonconformists, outsiders and mavericks like Jesse Ventura and Donald Trump, whose political views don’t jibe with the traditional parties. Whether there’s a place for Buchanan is anyone’s guess. His fate might even be more precarious than toughing it out and getting behind the Republican ticket. Individual ambition and survival seem to eclipse party loyalty, vividly reminding political observers that personal agendas — at least for some — rule the day.

       Despite individual accomplishments over team effort, Falwell demonstrated uncanny savvy with the altruistic principle that abandoning self-interest leads to great collective achievements. By reversing course and modifying his hard-nosed stand on gays, Rev. Falwell has decided that the new Republican agenda best fits the views and goals of his conservative ministry. In what seems like an unrelated matter, presidential hopeful Al Gore sharply criticized his opponent, Democratic rival Bill Bradley for sponsoring a left-wing, liberal agenda. Strange as it seems, even Gore is trying to restrain his liberal propensities, attacking Bradley for advocating old fashioned tax and spend programs — like his ambitious 65 billion dollar health care plan. As much as everyone wants to abandon political correctness and act like Jesse Ventura, Rev. Falwell reminds us that no one prefers isolation and solitary confinement. Walking into the mainstream, Falwell opens the door for the religious right to play a decisive role in the 2000 elections.

       Whether Falwell’s olive branch signals better days for gays is anyone’s guess. Changing his tune threw his loyal following for a loop, exposing the reality that catching up with the rest of society has its advantages. Just ask George W. Bush whose high-flying campaign proves that paying attention to focus groups and political pollsters pays rich rewards. Though some view this as cagey and even phony, others recognize that putting your finger on the American pulse is the surest path to the White House or any other elected office. Adopting eccentric positions — like Buchanan’s — makes good muckraking but won’t galvanize mass movements and win elections. Even Al Gore should try to restrain his life-long obsession with the environment — it’s certainly not turn-key to winning the White House. Relying on pollsters keeps candidates from veering off on eccentric tangents and helps them focus on cutting-edge issues. Falwell’s recent change of heart signals the emergence of the religious right back into the political dialogue.

       Like Rev. Falwell and the religious right, Al Gore needs to take a lesson in compassion from Bill Bradley and the liberal left. Without an official endorsement, Bill Bradley’s taken on the cause of Warren Beatty and the Hollywood elite. Lining Bradley up in the cross hairs, Gore is adopting a risky strategy of the pot calling the kettle black. Showing too much disdain for liberal causes just won’t fly. Despite all the vaunted surpluses, Democratic tax and spend policies were associated with the worst inflation, unemployment and recession since the great depression. Without too much distraction, it’s good for Gore to recognize that he’s not yet running against George W. Bush. No, he’s still along way from Los Angeles. With Gore still finding his legs, he’d be better off showing more consistency turning the other cheek like the 'forgiving' Rev. Jerry Falwell.

About the Author

John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com. He’s also the director of a West Los Angeles think tank specializing in human behavior, health care and political research and media consultation. He’s a seminar trainer, columnist and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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