When the Republican National Convention gets underway next week in Milwaukee, immigration and Donald Trump's VP pick are expected to be the primary topics of discussion. But delegates also will be asked to ratify a far different platform than in years past. While those who crafted the new platform contend it will attract more people to vote Republican, many conservatives aren't happy with what they consider to be watered-down planks related to abortion and marriage.
Jenna Ellis is a former attorney for President Donald Trump and host of a daily program on American Family Radio. It's unfortunate and a "really big deal," she says, that the GOP's pro-life plank isn't what it used to be.
"The platform excised the definition of marriage out of the platform entirely," she explained on AFR. "And then it also watered down any stance for pro-life in terms of congressional action, fetal tissue research, and specifically talking about God our Creator endowing us with the right to life. I mean, it was just so watered down."
Ellis argued Evangelicals cannot just sweep this under the rug. "We can say 'Well, who cares; this is better. We can't stand up for pro-life otherwise we're going to lose elections.'
"If we don't stand up for the truth, what exactly do we think we're winning?" she wondered aloud.
While Ellis reported she has had pastors and other Christian leaders tell her they want to vote for a third-party candidate, Sandy Rios – director of governmental affairs for American Family Association – argued pro-life voters need to stick with Trump.
"[The new platform is] very, very vague and does not have the philosophical deep language [as before]. It's more plain language where you could drive a truck through some of it," she admitted. "Pro-life leaders for the most part who are DC-centric caved along time ago; they talk a good game, but it's kind of a business for them to say they're pro-life. And when it comes to really fighting, they usually line up with the Republican establishment."
But Rios, who also made her comments during an appearance on American Family Radio, pointed out Trump's platform is better than the alternative offered by the Joe Biden team.
"Progressive Democrats believe in abortion for all nine months – and Joe Biden is for abortion all nine months …. We have to remember compared to the other side where they want abortion for all nine months, [Trump] still should be our candidate."
The longtime Christian radio commentator argued this is not the time for Evangelicals to stay home on Election Day.
"[Trump] may not be where we are. He doesn't have the same convictions and passions on these issues. He has instincts that I think are really good on these issues, but he doesn't have the same passion – and that's just the reality."
