Prayers in the Precincts: The Christian Right in the 1998 Elections [Hardcover]

John Clifford Green (Editor), Mark J. Rozell (Editor), Clyde Wilcox (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 2000

In the wake of the Clinton-Lewinsky scandal, the Christian Right expected major victories in the 1998 elections. Instead, many of its allies lost close contests, and the movement was seen as a liability in some high-profile campaigns. In an in-depth study of the Christian Right's role in these races, leading scholars analyze the role of the movement in 14 key states, from Maine to California, and address speculations that the movement is fading from the American political scene. This volume focuses on elections on the state and local levels, where the Christian Right is most influential, and it describes the movement's niche in some detail. Although each campaign described had its unique characteristics, the editors have drawn some broad conclusions about the 1998 elections. While the movement was weak in the areas of candidate recruitment and fundraising, the outcome may have also been related to external factors including a broader turnout of typically Democratic constituencies and the country's boredom with the scandal that conservatives had made the centrepiece of their campaign. Despite the setbacks of 1998, the contributors argue, the Christian Right continues to have an enormous influence on the political dialogue of the country.

Editorial Reviews

Review

For conservative Christians, there has always been a tension between the church and the polis. Should Christians try to influence the state, to make America into a Christian society? Or should they focus on church and community, living in a world apart? Over the past 20 years, the pendulum has swung toward greater Christian participation in politics. But now it seems to be swinging back again. This collection of essays on the pivotal 1998 mid-term Congressional election examines why. If occasionally dry, this collection of articles provides the political context for the changing theological and philosophical positions of the Christian Right. (Beliefnet, Aug. 2000) -- From Beliefnet

About the Author

John C. Green is professor of political science and director of the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron.

Mark J. Rozell is associate professor of politics at the Catholic University of America.

Clyde Wilcox is professor of government at Georgetown University.

The three of them have previously collaborated on God at the Grass Roots: The Christian Right in the 1994 Elections and God at the Grass Roots, 1996: The Christian Right in the American Elections (Rowman and Littlefield, 1995 and 1997).

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 312 pages
• Publisher: Georgetown University Press (March 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 087840774X
• ISBN-13: 978-0878407743
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #7,747,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)