This does not mean, though, that separationists can take comfort in the positions of other GOP contenders. The fault lines between libertarians and religious conservatives may, increasingly, dominate the discussion within the Republican Party. While agreeing with the fiscal conservatism of their religious counterparts, libertarians generally eschew the social agenda enunciated by Robertson and others within the party's extreme right. Libertarians may oppose government funding of abortion, for instance, but generally consider the matter to be one of personal choice for the woman. Ironically, the most insightful observation about this shift both within the Republican party and the culture at large came from a disgruntled Andrea Shelton, executive director of the Traditional Values Coalition.
Any prediction is sure to be risky.
That could change, however, as groups such as Bauer's Family research Council, and even the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, demand action. Vouchers remain trendy, and may have received a boost from Monday's US Supreme Court decision to not examine the Milwaukee program which funnels tax money to private and religious schools in the form of tuition subsidies. RLPA, based on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, has the votes on the hill if it can be fast-tracked without further public hearings. The biggest threat to the RLPA agenda is more public hearings on the matter which could allow opposition to organize. They cannot be used to proselytize or advance a religious agenda.