Christian conservatives are a large electoral voting-block. Prior to 1976, this was not the case. The Evangelical vote was no small that there was no poll that even counted them. The 1973 pro-abortion ruling by the Supreme Court, the “born again” presidency of Jimmy Carter in 1976, and the quick rise of secularism had an effect on Christians. They finally got politically involved despite their belief that millions of them believed something called the “rapture” would take place before the end of 1988.  News sources are reporting that Rick Santorum

won the endorsement from a group of about 150 evangelical Christian leaders at a gathering in the Houston suburb of Brenham, Texas, Saturday [Jan. 14], despite the former Pennsylvania Senator’s long history of supporting pro-abortion candidates for state and federal offices. . . . Throughout his 16-year career in the U.S.  House and Senate, Santorum has supported pro-abortion candidates with endorsements, appearances at campaign events, and contributions from his political action committee, formerly called “Fight PAC” (now “America’s Foundation”). In 2007, Santorum campaigned in New Jersey for Governor Christine Todd Whitman’s reelection, despite her veto of a partial-birth abortion ban in that state. When the Legislature passed the ban again over her veto, Whitman said she would not defend the law against a court challenge.

 It took three rounds of balloting before the evangelical leaders finally got behind Santorum. That’s not a major vote of confidence.

But there’s more to the story, and it’s not all good if the reports of ballot stuffing and other charges are true:

Former White House evangelical-outreach official Doug Wead, who represented GOP presidential hopeful Texas Rep. Ron Paul at the event, said it appeared the outcome obviously was determined in advance by the choice of the people invited.

“By the time the weekend was over, it was clear that this had been definitely planned all along as a Rick Santorum event,” Mr. Wead said, noting that he was the only supporter of Mr. Paul to receive an invitation.

“The organizer was for Santorum, the person who created the invitation list was for Santorum, the emcee was for Santorum, and after making sure all of the Gingrich people had vented early, the last three speakers before the vote were for Santorum,” he said.

Additional information has come out that “When asked one-on-one why they were going for Santorum when they knew he had no money, no organization, and stood not a ghost of a chance to win the nomination, the truth came out”:

“If we unify behind Santorum, it will force Romney to pick him as his running mate – for he’ll know that’s the only way to get our support in the general (election in November).” That’s the slimy deal behind this. They’ll go for Romney if he goes for Santorum on his ticket. Should we call them Judas Conservatives?”

It’s time that all Americans research the candidates and not follow in lock-step behind so-called leaders of any voting group.

In addition, too much attention is being placed on the presidency. We need to get to work now to put forward good candidates to challenge the Democrats and turn-coat RINO Republicans.