US Republicans show 2 faces of Christianity, 1 conservative 1 liberal

New York (ENI). The national convention of the US Republican Party ended in New York City with at least two strains of Christianity on view - one enthusiastically supporting President George W. Bush's policies - the other vigorously opposing them. Conservative Christians supporting the president - a potent base of support for Bush, who is a member of the United Methodist Church and is a self-described evangelical Christian - did not capture centre stage at the convention. This was apparently because of concerns that the Republicans need to reach out to moderate voters who, it is believed, are likely to decide the race between Bush and his Democratic opponent, Senator John Kerry. [420 words, ENI-04-0576]