Reverend Joel Hunter, who had been tapped to lead the Christian Coalition, resigned when it became apparent that the organization was unwilling to tackle issues such as easing poverty, preserving the environment, or fighting AIDS. “These are issues that Jesus would want us to care about,” Hunter says. But the leadership of the Coalition did not want to alienate its “base” of Republican voters. “We’re a political organization” said Chairman, Roberta Combs, committed to the narrow agenda (also supported by Hunter) of opposing abortion and gay marriage. "If we are going to care for the vulnerable, we ought to care as much about the vulnerable outside the womb as inside the womb," Hunter said.


[See R. Marus, “Just-Named Christian Coalition Head Steps Down in Dispute over Mission” ABPNews.com, Nov. 30, 2006; W. Mariano, “Incoming President Resigns from Christian Coalition” Orlando Sentinel, Nov. 24, 2006.]