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BY AMY DOMINELLO
Media General News Service
WASHINGTON – For Dale Burroughs and other conservative Christian voters, the presidential race began in earnest when John McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running mate.
Before Palin, Burroughs was supporting McCain but not campaigning for him. She wasn’t enthusiastic about the presidential election. Then, McCain listened to conservatives.
“Before, there was lip service to conservative Christian voters and we’re part of the ground troops in getting voters out,” said Burroughs, founder and president of a Christian counseling center in Bradenton, Fla. “We might not be all wise, but we’re not stupid.”
Burroughs, 62, was among about 2,000 conservatives who gathered in Washington Friday for the annual Values Voter Summit organized by the Family Research Council. The council opposes abortion rights and promotes family and marriage.
When McCain spoke at the summit last year, he had to convince attendees that he reflected their beliefs. This year, he wasn’t on the program, but he has impressed and energized summit participants with his choice of Palin.
“The day before Palin, it was a job,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List in Arlington, Va. The group supports women in politics who are anti-abortion. “The day after Palin, it was a passion.”
Debra Dickerson and her 17-year-old daughter, Currie, of Plant City, Fla., agree. They shook their heads and laughed when asked if they supported McCain prior to picking Palin. Now they’ll be waving signs along roadsides for the Republican ticket.
“She’s s really rejuvenated this group of people,” said Debra Dickerson, 46.
For many, like Mark Beliles of Charlottesville, Va., a vote for McCain was intended as a vote against Barack Obama. Not anymore.
“Now, I’m going to volunteer and give a lot more,” said Beliles, 52.
In Palin, conservatives have found a champion of their beliefs and causes. They see her as religious, against abortion rights and against gay marriage.
“She has based her life on the word of God,” said Barb Rollins, 62, of Aiken, S.C. “She’s made some difficult decisions and decided to go God’s way. She doesn’t compromise her values.”
And, Palin connects with average Americans, conservatives said.
“She’s one of us,” Dickerson said. “She reminds me of me. She really has a strong core of beliefs.”
“She’s not just a stuffy old politician,” added her daughter, Currie.
It’s not just McCain’s choice of Palin that’s energized Ronald Gilbert of Scottsville, Va. He said McCain’s recent appearances and speeches have illustrated that he will uphold conservative values.
“For the first time last week I made a donation to the campaign,” Gilbert said. “Now I’m looking for ways to volunteer and do something. McCain has done an excellent job of defining who he is and people like me … are energized and enthused.”
Several compared Palin’s impact to Ronald Reagan’s ability to unite Republicans in 1980.
“The appointment of Sarah Palin has done what I haven’t seen since Ronald Reagan,” said David S. Nammo the executive director of the Family Research Council’s legislative arm “They were not excited about John McCain. Now they want to go and vote for someone instead of vote against someone.”
While the summit was open to all political affiliations, it draws a largely conservative Republican crowd. Obama’s political positions do not mesh with those in attendance, Nammo said.
“Obama doesn’t fall with them on the issues they hold dear,” he said.
The summit began Friday and ends Sunday morning. None of the candidates on the presidential tickets were scheduled to speak, and the Family Research Council’s newly created political action committee did not endorse a presidential candidate.
But Burroughs said the summit was an important way for conservatives to be heard.
“We have a big voice out there, but if we don’t meet, no one will hear us,” she said.
Contact Amy Dominello at 202-662-7671 or adominello@mediageneral.com
Media General News Service
WASHINGTON – For Dale Burroughs and other conservative Christian voters, the presidential race began in earnest when John McCain chose Sarah Palin as his running mate.
Before Palin, Burroughs was supporting McCain but not campaigning for him. She wasn’t enthusiastic about the presidential election. Then, McCain listened to conservatives.
“Before, there was lip service to conservative Christian voters and we’re part of the ground troops in getting voters out,” said Burroughs, founder and president of a Christian counseling center in Bradenton, Fla. “We might not be all wise, but we’re not stupid.”
Burroughs, 62, was among about 2,000 conservatives who gathered in Washington Friday for the annual Values Voter Summit organized by the Family Research Council. The council opposes abortion rights and promotes family and marriage.
When McCain spoke at the summit last year, he had to convince attendees that he reflected their beliefs. This year, he wasn’t on the program, but he has impressed and energized summit participants with his choice of Palin.
“The day before Palin, it was a job,” said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List in Arlington, Va. The group supports women in politics who are anti-abortion. “The day after Palin, it was a passion.”
Debra Dickerson and her 17-year-old daughter, Currie, of Plant City, Fla., agree. They shook their heads and laughed when asked if they supported McCain prior to picking Palin. Now they’ll be waving signs along roadsides for the Republican ticket.
“She’s s really rejuvenated this group of people,” said Debra Dickerson, 46.
For many, like Mark Beliles of Charlottesville, Va., a vote for McCain was intended as a vote against Barack Obama. Not anymore.
“Now, I’m going to volunteer and give a lot more,” said Beliles, 52.
In Palin, conservatives have found a champion of their beliefs and causes. They see her as religious, against abortion rights and against gay marriage.
“She has based her life on the word of God,” said Barb Rollins, 62, of Aiken, S.C. “She’s made some difficult decisions and decided to go God’s way. She doesn’t compromise her values.”
And, Palin connects with average Americans, conservatives said.
“She’s one of us,” Dickerson said. “She reminds me of me. She really has a strong core of beliefs.”
“She’s not just a stuffy old politician,” added her daughter, Currie.
It’s not just McCain’s choice of Palin that’s energized Ronald Gilbert of Scottsville, Va. He said McCain’s recent appearances and speeches have illustrated that he will uphold conservative values.
“For the first time last week I made a donation to the campaign,” Gilbert said. “Now I’m looking for ways to volunteer and do something. McCain has done an excellent job of defining who he is and people like me … are energized and enthused.”
Several compared Palin’s impact to Ronald Reagan’s ability to unite Republicans in 1980.
“The appointment of Sarah Palin has done what I haven’t seen since Ronald Reagan,” said David S. Nammo the executive director of the Family Research Council’s legislative arm “They were not excited about John McCain. Now they want to go and vote for someone instead of vote against someone.”
While the summit was open to all political affiliations, it draws a largely conservative Republican crowd. Obama’s political positions do not mesh with those in attendance, Nammo said.
“Obama doesn’t fall with them on the issues they hold dear,” he said.
The summit began Friday and ends Sunday morning. None of the candidates on the presidential tickets were scheduled to speak, and the Family Research Council’s newly created political action committee did not endorse a presidential candidate.
But Burroughs said the summit was an important way for conservatives to be heard.
“We have a big voice out there, but if we don’t meet, no one will hear us,” she said.
Contact Amy Dominello at 202-662-7671 or adominello@mediageneral.com