Evangelical voters valued protector strength over theological compatibility or competence

Evidence

Introducing Trump, Falwell spoke of his father’s support for Ronald Reagan over Southern Baptist Jimmy Carter: “When he walked into the voting booth, he wasn’t electing a Sunday school teacher or a pastor or even a president who shared his theological beliefs.” He was electing a leader. “After all, Jimmy Carter was a great Sunday school teacher, but look at what happened to our nation with him in the presidency. Sorry.” … Rejecting the teleprompters, Trump was ready to have some fun. After some rambling self-congratulatory remarks about his crowd size, and then more self-congratulatory remarks on his poll numbers (“we’ve done great with the evangelicals”), he made his pitch. “We’re going to protect Christianity, and I can say that. I don’t have to be politically correct.” He then quoted “two Corinthians,” to the amusement of his critics. The media jumped on the gaffe, but it didn’t seem to distract those in attendance from his key message: He would protect them. — Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Jesus and John Wayne, 574

Categorization

• DEFINE: Establishes the operative criterion for the white evangelical electorate: leadership and strength in the secular realm, not shared beliefs or piety.