Bob Corker's Base Problem

Bob may want it to appear that he has no base problem, but the facts show otherwise.

As News Channel 2 reports, Corker is having trouble courting the traditionally Republican Christian vote:

Some conservatives have hesitated to support Bob Corker as, during the primary campaign, he was labeled more moderate than his republican challengers. One reason is for his abortion "about-face" years ago from pro-choice to pro-life.

Undeniably, Christian voters played a big part in President Bush's victories in the last two elections but whether that'll be the case for Corker is a big question mark.

It's not, however, much of a question for Truman Bean who helps author the "Conservatives for Corker" blog. He said, “We have to back the man who's closest to our viewpoints and it's clearly Bob.” To Bean, there's one important issue separating Corker from Harold Ford Jr.; “Bob is 100% pro-life and the party that supports him will really hold his feet to the fire on that.”

But while Corker has received an endorsement from the National Right to Life Organization, he won't get an endorsement from Tennessee's Right to Life Group. He's also not getting support, at least not now, from the Eagle Forum, one of the more vocal conservative groups in the south.

That makes Sam Davidson, who authors his own blog, SamDavidson.net on politics and faith, wonder if the Christian right is showing some cracks. He said, “One of my dad's friends in his 50s and vote republican all of his life, was a Bryant supporter; now he’s voting for Ford. It'll be the first time in his life that he'll vote for a Democrat.”

Davidson, a faith-based voter himself said he'll also vote for Ford. Abortion isn't an issue he's that concerned about, and he thinks other Christians care more about the economy, poverty and the welfare system than the traditional hot-button issues of abortion and homosexuality.

“One thing I'm seeing is that Christians are beginning to ask the right questions. Instead of just saying, I need to vote GOP, they're starting to look at the other issues,” said Davidson.

Corker has two months to persuade those on the religious right to not only vote for him in November, but to campaign for him as well.

Further, just the other day in the Tennessean, Republican activist Judy Campbell indicated she may be voting for Ford this fall:

Dyed-in-the-wool Republican Judy Campbell, 64, a Nashville free-lance writer, said she's on the fence because Corker hasn't convinced her he's conservative enough on issues important to her, such as illegal immigration, abortion and spending.

"He'll have to win my heart," said Campbell, who said she may end up supporting Ford. She wants the men to debate so she can make up her mind.

No base problem, huh Bob? Yeah right.