Republicans Prefer a Religious Candidate. But They’re Willing to Give Donald Trump a Pass.
At The Washington Post, Michelle Boorstein and Sarah Pulliam Bailey report that although religious Republicans prefer a candidate that shares their convictions, they will still support Donald Trump—”whom they don’t see as very religious at all.” Data released on Wednesday from the Pew Research Centershow that while a high degree of religiosity is still important, it is no longer mandatory to compete in Republican elections. “It used to be that you had to pass a faith test. Because national security and voter anger at Washington and the political system are the two guiding principles, I think that qualification of are-you-religious has diminished,” said longtime Republican consultant Brett O’Donnell.