
Freedom Writer - November 1995

QUESTION OF THE MONTH
Where does the Religious Right stand on Colin Powell?


Powell's rhetoric appeals to the Religious Right. "I 
have the moral fortitude" he said, "and the blessings 
of a Christian education and Christian upbringing and 
the blessings of a strong moral family." And, although 
Powell wrote in his book, _My_American_Journey_, that 
he is "troubled by the passion of those on the extreme 
right who seem to claim divine wisdom on political 
as well as spiritual matters," he has responded positively 
to the Christian Coalition. "I am totally supportive 
of their mission," he said. "I think they  should be 
applauded for their efforts to make America shape up 
again." 

Ralph Reed responded that Powell has "shown a real 
evolution" in his thinking. "He agreed with many of 
the things we were promoting  traditional family values, 
school choice and things of that nature."

However, in an effort to check growing support for 
Powell among conservative Christians, Gary Bauer, who 
heads Family Research Council, sent a fax to 5,000 
conservative leaders warning that "the current flirtation 
with Colin Powell as the 1996 GOP Presidential nominee 
has gone far enough."

Paul Weyrich of the Free Congress Foundation said, 
"If [Powell] should get the Republican nomination it 
would be as if Ronald Reagan never lived and Nelson 
Rockefeller never died."

In its October 1995 newsletter, _The_Capitol_Hill_Prayer_
Alert_ wrote: "Nothing underscores the need for strong 
conservative, Christian leaders more than the political 
phenomena [sic] of retired Army General Colin Powell. 
While Powell is brazenly pro-abortion, anti-school 
prayer, pro-gun control, anti-death penalty, pro-affirmative 
action, is unwilling to commit to 'no-new-taxes', and 
unashamedly criticizes conservative Christians, preeminent 
conservative leaders swoon over him."

"His positions," the group concludes, "are anathema 
to Bible-believing Christians...A Bill Clinton reelection 
or a Colin Powell presidency (Republican or Independent) 
will spell disaster for America." 

Conservative Christians who vote only for anti-abortion 
candidates would reject Powell. However, in recent 
national elections, abortion took a back seat to the 
economy and other issues.

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