Hey Evangelicals…I have a question. Are you ready? Are you ready to show that you are so energized by the Palin pick that you can make a huge difference and put John McCain over the top?
I understand that the Evangelical factor is just one facet in the attempt to get John McCain into the White House. But let's face it. Evangelical leaders and 'the base" are pumped up over Palin. Can they mobilize and turnout at the polls in such huge numbers to make the difference? We are about to find out just how much sway the Evangelical vote can have in an election.
Look, Obama has huge advantages in organization and enthusiasm among his base of support. John McCain did not have that before the Palin pick. Now, from what I have learned through my reporting, Evangelicals are excited beyond belief. But who cares if they're excited if they don't turn out, especially in the key battleground states.
One top Republican strategist tells me that if Palin can get McCain over the 70 percent support threshold he will be looking good. But this strategist tells me that to gauge the support of Evangelicals it will be important to look at how the McCain/Palin ticket tests in key battleground states among social conservatives. If you start to see improvement through internal and external polling then watch out. That's a sure sign that Evangelicals are on the move and ready to go.