<\/a>Republicans tend to believe that the bulwark of their strength comes from those people who are very conservative, which includes the millions of Evangelical Christians in the United States. In order to appeal to these groups, Republicans do<\/span>, used to take on the mantle of what linguist George Lakoff has called \u201cthe stern father image.\u201d No humor here, just strict conformance with what is right and proper.<\/p>\n

Anyone who saw the Republican debate from Houston on February 25 would have to say that the candidates seemed to act more as if they were in a \u201cclown car\u201d than as upright, proper citizens. Why is it that the stern view from the pillars of the evangelical movement are not enough to curb the enthusiasm, or at least the behavior, of the Republican front-runners?<\/p>\n

Perhaps it\u2019s that Christian evangelicals are not as solid a bloc as they have been purported to be. Cracks in their fa\u00e7ade are nothing new. Think of Jim and Tammy Baker, of Jimmy Swaggart, of Ted Haggard. One of the beauties of the evangelical movement is that forgiveness is always available, even after the most hypocritical behaviors. If you want a little insight to the \u201ctransgressions\u201d in the evangelical community, just read the lyrics to the great Jeannie C. Riley song, \u201cHarper Valley P.T.A.\u201d about what\u2019s behind the evangelical fa\u00e7ade. If you prefer, you can watch the video below.<\/p>\n

I wanna tell you all a story ’bout a Harper Valley widowed wife,
\nWho had a teenage daughter who attended Harper Valley Junior High,
\nWell her daughter came home one afternoon and didn’t even stop to play,
\nAnd she said. “Mom I got a note here from the Harper Valley PTA.”<\/p>\n

Well the note said, “Mrs. Johnson, you’re wearing your dresses way too high.
\nIt’s reported you’ve been drinkin’ and runnin’ round with men and goin’ wild.
\nAnd we don’t believe you oughta be a bringin’ up your little girl this way.”
\nAnd it was signed by the secretary, “Harper Valley PTA.”<\/p>\n

Well it happened that the PTA was gonna meet that very afternoon.
\nAnd they were sure surprised when Mrs. Johnson wore her mini-skirt into the room.
\nAnd as she walked up to the black board, I still recall the words she had to say.
\nShe said I’d like to address this meeting of the Harper Valley PTA.<\/p>\n

Well, there’s Bobby Taylor sittin’ there, and seven times he’s asked me for a date.
\nAnd Mrs. Taylor seems to use a lotta ice, whenever he’s away.
\nAnd Mr. Baker can you tell us why your secretary had to leave this town?
\nAnd shouldn’t widow Jones be told to keep her window shades a pulled completely down.<\/p>\n

Well Mr. Harper couldn’t be here cause he stayed too long at Kelly’s Bar again.
\nAnd if you smell Shirley Thompson’s breath you’ll find she’s had a little nip of gin.
\nAnd then you have the nerve to tell me, you think that as a mother I’m not fit.
\nWell this is just a little Peyton Place, and you’re all Harper Valley hypocrites.<\/p>\n

No, I wouldn’t put you on because, it really did happen just this way.
\nThe day my momma socked it to, the Harper Valley PTA.
\nThe day my momma socked it to, the Harper Valley PTA<\/p><\/blockquote>\n