Conservative Christian leader on elections [VIDEO]

Conservative Christian leader, Tony Perkins predicts that the Foley scandal will cause marginal voters to stay home out of disgust with the Republican Party. Not only the inaction on Foley's behavior, but their listless advancement of the religious right's agenda.

"I think you can't underestimate the impact this is gonna have on the election," Perkins begins, before providing a mealy-mouthed prediction about Republicans whose rebukes of Foley are, and have been, vituperative enough. He still claims that many won't stay home but that "marginal candidates" will suffer at the polls.

Here's my favorite quote: "Some are questioning whether this Big Tent strategy has led to a three-ring circus."

Or: If the GOP doesn't cleanse itself of gays, doesn't get down with the religious right's message, it's in danger.

A piece in today's Times stressed a somewhat conflicting message. Gleaned from "dozens of interviews here in southeastern Virginia," the piece claims that most evangelicals are sticking with Republicans.

Of course, a recent PEW survey shows that over the course of the past year, Tony Perkins' views hew closer to the national mood. White evangelicals, who make up a significant chunk of republican support, are leaving the party.

In 2005, 63% of them saw the GOP as "friendly" to religion, while in 2006 -- just one year later -- only 49% felt that way.

Whether the Dems gain that vote or not is only half the story. White Evangelicals stay home, Republicans lose. It's not rocket science.