Conservative and pro-family values win big at the polls

WASHINGTON, November 4, 2009/Christian Newswire --

"Those who were ready to inscribe 'RIP' on the tombstone of conservative and pro-family values following the 2008 elections got a jolting wake-up call at the polls," said Mathew Staver, Founder of Liberty Counsel and Dean of Liberty University School of Law. "Conservative and pro-family values have never been dead or dying: we just needed principled candidates who can articulate these values, and when that happens, we win," remarked Staver.

"The 2008 elections were a confluence of history, charisma, and promises of hope, contrasted with flat, boring, and moderate rather than conservative ideals. The result was not a referendum on values: it was a referendum on candidates," noted Staver. "Now that we are past the rhetoric and living in reality, the liberal values and policies that came with the candidates are being rejected by the people," said Staver.

In dramatic fashion, VA ushered in three pro-life, pro-family, conservative Republican candidates: Governor-elect Bob McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, and Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Conservative Republican candidates picked up 5 state House of Delegates seats, including a dramatic come-from-behind victory for Scott Garrett in Lynchburg, who unseated the Democratic incumbent, Shannon Valentine. Valentine was ahead by about 1,400 votes after 19 of the 20 precincts were counted. After the final precinct votes were counted at Heritage Elementary School, Garrett jumped ahead by 210 votes. The stunning victory is attributed solely to the voting block of the students, faculty and staff at Liberty University. Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. encouraged the students at Liberty to register and vote locally, resulting in more than 3,000 new voters. The majority of the students vote in Precinct 20 at Heritage Elementary School. The students voted for pro-life and pro-family values and for limited government.

Conservative and pro-family values swept through NJ, typically a Democratic stronghold, where incumbent Gov. John Corzine was defeated by his Republican challenger, Chris Christie. Then, in a huge victory for marriage and pro-family values, voters in Maine voted to repeal the same-sex marriage law that was enacted earlier this year. "Every time the citizens have voted on marriage, they have always sided with natural marriage and rejected same-sex marriage. Maine dramatically illustrates the will of the people, and politicians should wake up and listen," said Staver.

"The dramatic triumph of conservative and pro-family values at the polls should send a message to all elected officials -- the people want leaders who stand for limited government, lower taxes, and family values. Obama staked his political machine on winning in NJ when he realized he had no chance in VA. Obama's political machine sputtered. The thought that he would lead a movement has vanished. The people derailed the out-of-control freight train of the liberal Washington policies and politicians," concluded Staver.