The Republican Party has in recent decades heralded itself as the champion
of marriage, family and traditional values in America, and with relative
success. The 2004 presidential election witnessed 4 out of 10 voters
casting their ballot based on moral issues, and of course Republican George
W. Bush carried the day.

But a look at the top-tier potential candidates for the GOP's presidential
nomination in 2008 reveals a startling departure from the pro-family image
the party has fought so hard to cultivate. Of the five leading contenders,
four have moderate to considerable personal baggage in the marriage
department, not even taking into account views or comments on social
issues.

For example, Rudy Gulliani has been divorced not once, but twice. And the
first divorce came about because the former New York mayor left his wife
for his mistress. John McCain is on his second marriage after the first
ended in divorce due to his confessed infidelity. Newt Gingrich's success
with his "Contract with America" has been overshadowed by his failures
with his contracts with his wives following his infamous affairs and two
divorces (for further details on this trio see the Washington Monthly's article at
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2006/0607.benen.html). And George
Allen, the tamest of the four, is married to wife number two after the
first couldn't handle the stress of his political life and aspirations
(putting Allen in the top-tier is admittedly quite a stretch in the wake of
his "Macaca" incident). As for the fifth big-name Republican, Mitt Romney
posseses a sterling record of 37 years of marital monogamy (and five
controversy-free children to boot). The second-tier candidates, such as
Frist, Huckabee, or Brownback seem to be more like the squeaky-clean
Romney, but lack some combination of funds, organization or charisma to be
truly electable.

Granted, the poster boy for modern Republican president--Ronald Reagan--was
a divorcee. But the political climate was different a quarter of a century
ago, and a party that is struggling to energize its conservative base to
offset public dissatisfaction over the Iraq War and bloated budget
deficits, among other issues, would appear to be on a suicide mission if it
eradicated the one major drawing card it still has left. Time will tell,
but it is unlikely that the GOP will be able to maintain the White House if
it nominates a candidate who cannot through both rhetoric and personal
history rouse the powerful Right of American politics to rush to the polls
to save marriage, family and traditional values from further liberal decay.