NPR: Open Thread: Who Counts as a 'Values Voter'?

Open Thread: Who Counts as a 'Values Voter'?

Filed under: Election 2008, Sound Off

Christians rally at the U.S. Supreme Court in 2005

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On this morning's show, we talked to people on their way to the Family Research Council's second annual Values Voter Summit in Washington, D.C.. All the major GOP candidates will be attending this gathering of conservative Christians.

For the people we talked to, being a "values voter" means opposing abortion and the right to same-sex marriage and supporting the nomination of judges who share those views.

As host Alison Stewart asked, what about people who hold different beliefs, and "they say, hey, we have values, too?"

So what about 'em? Do you consider yourself a "values voter" -- and what does that mean to you?

Laura Conaway

7:10 AM ET | 10-18-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I am a very Liberal values voter. I am devoted to my job and my community. I serve on a local town board and regularly volunteer my time with scouting. I "live" my values by demonstrating them. I do not cram my values verbally towards others to make them think I am holier than they are. I am tolerant of others and believe firmly in the greater value of human rights for all even when it is not politically correct or convenient. My guess with this philosophy I would not be welcome at the Family Research tour.

Sent by Suzanne Wargo | 8:07 AM ET | 10-18-2007

I believe in less government. I do not believe it is the business of the Federal Gov't to tell individuals what they can do with their bodies, time, or money. I do not believe in abortion nor same sex marriage, however, it is not my right to tell someone how to live their life.

Sent by Arthur Kellogg | 9:32 AM ET | 10-18-2007

Even though "conservative" and "evangelical" are two words that a good number of people would use to describe me, I find the FRC's absconding of the word "values" really irritating (but predictable).

Every voter invariably votes according to what he or she values, even if it's just a toothy grin and a winsome attitude. To say that "values" only consist of defeating Roe v. Wade and gay marriage(what was termed in the 90s as "Family Values", another misnomer) is silly.

Sent by Rae Whitlock | 9:45 AM ET | 10-18-2007

I have enjoyed the show this week, but you spent too much time on China on Tuesday and on the Dalai Lama on Wednesday. If you would have cut both segments in half, I would have gotten a very good idea of the issues.

Sent by Jim Trenton | 10:01 AM ET | 10-18-2007

There is no educational requirement to call yourself a critic, or any other critic for that matter, be it a movie critic, music critic, etc. This is all your opinion. That's all critics are doing, voicing their opinion which is often times very lame and boring. The public majority just doesn't care about your opinion which almost always falls under a tabloid-like genre. So, labeling Sting as one of the worst song-writers of all time has absolutely no merit.

Sent by Palmer | 10:12 AM ET | 10-18-2007

Reminds me of the comment Rove said about how he had "THE" math. Sounds like these Value Votors think they have "THE" values.

Sent by Rich | 10:12 AM ET | 10-18-2007

I wouldn't label myself a values voter even though I am mostly motivated by tsocial issues. The term "values" is completely objective, and usually assumes a Christian morality. I support gay marriage because it hurts no one, and what people do with themselves is their own business. "morals" don't play in it at all for me.

Sent by Benjamin Frisch | 10:39 AM ET | 10-18-2007

These busybodies have no values. In a time of war, they are concerned only with sex issues. It's time to stop pretending that these people have a point of view worthy of attention.

Sent by Sean | 11:34 AM ET | 10-18-2007

If we dropped the connotation of 'values voter' and candidly spoke, I'm confident most of us would share common ground. To me this means being truthful, not judging others, forgiving yourself and others, and not living in fear. The negative value of fear appears to not be taken into account when weighing our priorities.

Sent by Mark D | 1:38 PM ET | 10-18-2007

A values voter is one whose primary concern is fighting the culture wars on the fields of homosexuality and abortion, exclusive of the broader implications of the two "great moral conflicts of our time;" i.e., the state's role in the bedroom or in sanctioning marriage, or in other perceivably "pro-life" agendas. It's an extremely narrow focus that does not permit distraction from the cause.

Sent by Tyler | 2:01 PM ET | 10-18-2007

It's incredible to see people claim thier 'tollerance' while making falacious and judgmental statments about the people voicing opposing viewpoints. Let the people gather to support abortion, let the people gather to abolish it. It's not necessary to get all huffy because someone doesn't like what somebody else said. Nobody was forced to read the article nor does any easily offended person need to pay any attention to those who wish to speak their own mind in opposition to them.

Anybody can create and agree to values that fit thier own lifestyle. It's not impressive.

Sent by Chase | 3:02 PM ET | 10-18-2007

Ron Paul should win this Values Voters debate. He is the most pro-life candidate, the most honest candidate, the most consistent candidate, the most constitutional candidate... His support is rising in finances and is reflected in the polls (up to 5%)... Join the Ron Paul revolution www.ronpaul2008.com

Sent by Eric | 4:01 PM ET | 10-18-2007

Ron Paul is a good Christian man, he has introduced legislation to overturn Roe Vs Wade and wants to make gay marriage a State issue not Federal. I can think of no other candidate.

Sent by SC | 2:50 AM ET | 10-19-2007

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