Values Voter Summit

[[File:Newt Gingrich (6238571355).jpg|thumb|right|165px|Greed, not grace]]
{{uspolitics}}
{{cquote|It hurts me to say the so-called Values Summit is not about [[Judeo-Christian]] values; it's not about [[Christianity]], but about the values of the [[heretical]], rhetorical extremism, funded by a whole lot of money. Their values are [[Money|cash]] and not [[Christ]]. [[Greed]] and not [[grace]].|||Rev. Dr. William Barber II<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/oct/25/william-barber-martin-luther-king-jr-civil-rights-leader Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr, a new civil rights leader takes center stage] by Oliver Laughland (Wed 25 Oct 2017 01.00 EDT) ''The Guardian''.</ref>}}
The '''Values Voter Summit''' is an annual conclave of the most hardcore of the [[United States]]' right-wing political activists. It was founded in 2006 and promotes the [[conservative|conservative tenets]] of limited government, reduced spending, and [[family values|"traditional values"]].

==Agenda==
The Values Voter Summit website is boldly emblazoned with the words "Limit Government — Reduce Spending — Champion Traditional Values — Protect America", which we can safely assume to be a general overview of their ideology. More specifically, the group is [[anti-abortion]],<ref>[http://www.afajournal.org/2006/april/406noi.asp AFA Action co-sponsors ‘values voter’ conference] ''American Family Association Journal'', April 2006</ref> opposed to [[same-sex marriage]], encourages promotion of [[family values]], wants the protection of religious freedom (as long as you're Christian), and believes in a "responsible" foreign policy and strong national defence.<ref>[http://www.christianpost.com/news/presidential-hopefuls-highlight-values-to-christian-conservatives-29775/ Presidential Hopefuls Highlight 'Values' to Christian Conservatives] ''Christian Post'' October 20th 2007</ref> In short, a fairly typical conservative American agenda.

==Straw polls==
Since 2007 the summit has held its own straw poll each year (except for 2008 when [[John McCain]] had already secured a presidential nomination) for a field of Republican candidates. [[Mitt Romney]] won in 2007 with 28% of the vote<ref>[http://articles.cnn.com/2007-10-20/politics/romney.values_1_straw-vote-straw-poll-voting-period?_s=PM:POLITICS Romney wins straw poll at Values Voters Summit] ''CNN Politics'' October 20th 2007</ref>, [[Mike Huckabee]] in 2009, also with 28%,<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/09/19/huckabee-wins-straw-poll-values-voters-summit/ Huckabee Wins 2012 Straw Poll at Values Voters Summit] ''Fox News'' September 19th 2009</ref> [[Mike Pence|Mike "Gamma Ray the Gay Away" Pence]] in 2010 with 24%<ref>[http://articles.latimes.com/2010/sep/19/nation/la-na-values-voter-20100919 GOP Rep. Mike Pence gets nod for 2012 presidential run] ''Los Angeles Times'' September 19th 2009</ref>, and [[Ron Paul]] in 2011 with a whopping 37%.<ref>[http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/65482.html Ron Paul wins Values Voter straw poll; Herman Cain second] ''Politico'' October 8th 2011</ref>

==Guests==
Guest speakers who have appeared at the Values Voter Summit include:
*[[Michele Bachmann]]<ref name="VVS2010">[http://www.valuesvotersummit.org/2010/speakers 2010 Values Voter Summit Confirmed Speakers] ''Values Voter Summit'' Accessed November 2011</ref><ref name="VVS2011">[http://www.valuesvotersummit.org/speakers 2011 Values Voter Summit Confirmed Speakers] ''Values Voter Summit'' Accessed November 2011</ref>
*[[Bryan Fischer]]<ref name="VVS2010"/>
*[[Newt Gingrich]]<ref name="VVS2010"/><ref name="VVS2011"/>
*[[Sean Hannity]]<ref name="VVS2010"/>
*[[Mitt Romney]]<ref name="VVS2010"/>
*[[Phyllis Schlafly]]<ref name="VVS2010"/><ref name="VVS2011"/>
*[[Glenn Beck]]<ref name="VVS2011"/>
*[[Rick Perry]]<ref name="VVS2011"/>
*[[Bill O'Reilly]]<ref name="VVS2011"/><ref>His name isn't with the speakers, but there's a nice ol' picture of him in the picture slideshow at the top of the page.</ref>

==See also==
*[[Values Voter Debate 2007]]

==External links==
*[http://www.valuesvotersummit.org/ Value Voters website]

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:Right-wing activists]]
[[Category:Conservatism]]
[[Category:Misnomers]]

Categories: Right-wing activists, Conservatism, Misnomers