Giuliani neutralizing the wrath of the Religious Right

More stunning than the Religious Right's determination to oppose Rudy Giuliani at all costs has been the speed with which the Giuliani campaign has managed to push back against that threat. The issue was both Giuliani's acceptability to conservatives (as it would remind voters of his moderate views on social issus) and his electability (for he would have trouble winning the general election if evangelicals abandon him). But it appears the tide has been turning.

First came the positive comments of Family Research Council Tony Perkins last week. Perkins was among the most vocal anti-Rudy conservative leaders, but he said he was satisfied with Rudy's new position on gay rights. Then, a prominent South Carolina religious figure who had endorsed Romney backtracked and announced he was staying out of politics -- apparently because of the controversy that his endorsement provoked among South Carolina pastors. And today, conservative attorney James Bopp, who is working hard to rally conservatives behind Mitt Romney, acknowledged the third-party threat was not very serious: "I don't think the idea of a third party is being seriously considered by anyone." And why is that? "I'm not prepared to surrender in the war on terror and have terror attacks on major cities in the U.S."

But the most stunning story is Sam Brownback's very public flirtation with Rudy Giuliani. After withdrawing from the race last week, Brownback agreed to meet with Giuliani -- prompting speculation that he might endorse the former Mayor. This is truly shocking given that Brownback wants to be a leader of the social conservative movement, and that getting behind Rudy would hurt his credibility with the Religious Right given their hostility towards Guiliani. But Brownback does not seem to care. He had big fights with Romney throughout the campaign, so we have to keep that in mind. After meeting Rudy, Brownback absolved him of the sin of pro-choiceness: "I understand the mayor’s position. Whether it’s funding [or] appointments on the court, I’m much more comfortable with that.”

A Brownback endorsement would be a major get for Rudy Giuliani. It would certainly not ensure that social conservative rallied behind his candidacy, but it would give him significant cover. How much could the Religious Right rally its troops with Giuliani campaigning alongside one of the major figures of social conservatism? Giuliani is not after winning the Religious Right vote, he just wants to neutralize them to make sure they don't openly oppose him. And he seems close to achieving that goal, just as he seems to have gotten it from the NRA -- an unthinkable result a few weeks ago.