The Twilight of Social Conservatism: American Culture Wars in the Obama Era PDF
Preview The Twilight of Social Conservatism: American Culture Wars in the Obama Era
The T wilight of So cial Cons ervatism This page intentionally left blank The Twilight of Social Conservatism American Culture Wars in the Obama Era John Dombrink NEW Y ORK UNIVERS ITY P RESS New York and London NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS New York and London www.nyupress.org © 2015 by New York University All rights reserved References to Internet websites (URLs) were accurate at the time of writing. Neither the author nor New York University Press is responsible for URLs that may have expired or changed since the manuscript was prepared. Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Dombrink, John. The twilight of social conservatism : American culture wars in the Obama era / John Dombrink. pages cm Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-8147-3812-2 (pb : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-0-8147-9517-0 (cl : alk. paper) 1. Social values—United States. 2. Culture conflict—United States. 3. Conservatism—United States. 4. Politics and culture—United States. 5. United States—Politics and government. 6. Christianity and culture—United States. I. Title. HN90.M6D653 2015 306.0973—dc23 2015009277 New York University Press books are printed on acid-free paper, and their binding materials are chosen for strength and durability. We strive to use environmentally responsible suppli- ers and materials to the greatest extent possible in publishing our books. Manufactured in the United States of America 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Also available as an ebook For Maya, Paul, and Kara For Mary Ann and Clete, Patsy and Jeff, Kathleen and John, and their families This page intentionally left blank Focus group participants told us that they don’t want na- tional or federal focus on abortion or social issues. Republi- cans ultimately lose. —Republican pollster/consultant Frank Luntz, November 13, 2012 The Bible Belt is collapsing. It’s bad for the country, but good for the church . . . We are no longer the moral majority. We are a prophetic minority. —Southern Baptist leader Rev. Russell Moore, 2013 This page intentionally left blank Contents Acknowledgments xi Introduction 1 1. Liberalization and Backlash in the Obama Era 9 2. Anger and Resentment Anew: Tea Parties and the Obama Backlash 29 3. Marriage Equality: America and the New Normal 69 4. After Falwell: Shifts and Continuities in the Culture War and the Role of Religion in America 89 5. “Vota Tus Valores”: The Culture War in a Diversifying America 115 6. Campaign 2012: Of Plutocrats, Rape, and the “Ascendant Majority” 133 7. Whither the Culture War? The “Unwedging” of Old Frames 173 Bibliography 199 Index 245 About the Author 249 ix
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