Consider the significance of social conservatives in US politics (10)

The term social conservative is used to refer to the bible belt of the Republican Party or what is known as the Religious Right. Those found within this classification tend to be pro-life, opposed to same sex marriage, and opposed to stem cell research. They are significant in that they have made up a large portion of the Republican’s core base since the 1980s. We have also seen their growing importance within the modern Republican Party with the rise of the Tea Party movement since 2009. The popularity of the Tea Party has managed to shift the Republicans quite significantly to the right, which is evidenced by the Trump-Pence combination that currently resides in the executive. The role of individuals is important within the socially conservative wing of the Republican Party with those like Sarah Palin, and Ben Carson having a particularly seismic impact. This wing of the party is often synonymous with Evangelicalism, and is highly popular with a large portion of Christian America. The significant of social conservatives within the Republican Party, and more widely US politics should not be understated. They played a pivotal role in Regan’s success in the 1980s, and continued in the same vain in the 1990s, as well as helping Bush to secure the presidency in 2004. The significance of this wing can be highlighted by the fact that campaigns have been targeted towards them. This includes campaigns like ‘faith, flag, family, and God’. Showing that the social conservatives have had a significant impact on the policies pursued by the modern day Republican Party. Despite this it is important to remember that their significance waved slightly during the Obama elections, when both parties produced more moderate candidates. During this time centrism was what made up popular politics, but we have seen a realignment of this more recently, markedly in 2016. Though Trump is not a member of the social conservatives or any faction for that matter, his rhetoric was largely geared towards them in a lot of ways. His Vice President Mike Pence however was certainly a member of the socially conservative wing, advocating for faith healing and abolishing same sex marriage. Trump’s selection of Pence for the vice presidential nomination further highlights the significance of social conservatism within US politics. It can however be known to alienate moderate and independent voters e.g. the rhetoric of Todd Atkin of Missouri who infamously said ‘legitimate’ rape rarely causes pregnancy, in 2012. Overall since the Reagan era social conservatives have made up a significant proportion of the Republican’s core base, giving them impact on Republican policy. Though the flame of social conservatism may have dwindled in the Obama years, the Trump-Pence insurgency shows social conservatism is back with a vengeance, and it may carry more of an impact on US politics then ever before.