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Morning News

Election 2000: Christian Conservatives to Play Key Role in Bible Belt Primaries

Aired February 14, 2000 - 9:12 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: Texas Governor George W. Bush says that he believes that Democrats are mobilizing to support Arizona Senator John McCain in Saturday's South Carolina primary. Bush says that some Democrats believe McCain would be easier to defeat in the November general election. McCain dismisses those allegations, and both candidates are battling for support from a key constituency: Christian conservatives.

Details now on that from our Jonathan Karl.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JONATHAN KARL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): For the next week, the battle for the GOP nomination will be waged in the Bible Belt.

REV. STAN CRAIG, CHOICE HILLS BAPTIST CHURCH: I think Christian South Carolina is for the candidate that will be honest and not lie to the people.

KARL: But here at Choice Hills Baptist Church in Greenville, as in much of South Carolina, Christian conservatives are divided when it comes to presidential politics.

(on camera): Who are you going to vote for?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Governor Bush.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm going to vote for the man of God.

KARL: Who is that?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I can't think of his name now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Alan Keyes.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm nervous. Alan Keyes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think McCain would be a better candidate. He's a military man.

KARL (voice-over): The national leadership of the Christian Coalition is lined up solidly for George W. Bush, and warning that a victory for John McCain could destroy the Republican Party.

PAT ROBERTSON, FOUNDER, CHRISTIAN COALITION: I think there will be a defection of the Christian conservatives in major waves; I'm talking about a large portion of the Republican base would walk away.

KARL: But on the ground in South Carolina, many of the Christian Coalition's grassroots activist are skeptical about Bush.

CRAIG: There's an insecurity, and an uneasiness about George Bush at this point that I cannot explain to you; that's why I need to get more education.

KARL: Dee Benedict sits on the state board of the Christian Coalition, but she doesn't support Governor Bush.

DEE BENEDICT, CHRISTIAN ACTIVIST: We feel that McCain has certainly the best shot at winning the general election. We feel he's attracting enough support from the Reagan Democrats, the independents, etcetera, that he can beat Al Gore.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KARL: During the last GOP primary here, nearly four out of every 10 voters described themselves as part of the religious right movement. But even then, Christian conservatives split their vote, dividing their vote evenly between Bob Dole and Pat Buchanan.

Reporting live from Columbia, South Carolina, this is Jonathan Karl.

KAGAN: Thank you, Jonathan.

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