How America Decides
Since 1988, white Evangelicals have been the second most reliable bloc in the Republican base, after Mormons. So it's no surprise that most are once again lining up behind this year's GOP presidential nominee. A new TIME poll of white Evangelical voters finds that 70% support John McCain. Large pluralities also prefer him over Barack Obama when it comes to fixing the economy and restoring America's image in the world. For a man who has had a sometimes prickly relationship with religious conservatives, these numbers have to be good news.
But while McCain maintains an insurmountable advantage among white Evangelicals, there are signs that it might not be sufficient to put him over the top. In 2004, George W. Bush captured 78% of white Evangelicals, who turned out in record numbers. McCain's numbers lag behind Bush's, and 27% of his Evangelical backers say they are not enthusiastic about him. Nearly two-thirds of them also say they could vote for a candidate whose position on abortion differed from theirs; 72% would vote for a candidate who disagrees with them on Iraq. Between now and November, some Evangelicals may be willing to give Obama another look.