ABSTRACT
The Christian Right is one of the most controversial forces in American politics. For those who defend it, it represents the hopes and dreams of millions of citizens in a country which has abandoned its Judaeo-Christian heritage and can no longer claim to be a 'shining city on a hill'. The Christian Right was also glad of the Reagan White House's decision to set up a Commission on Pornography and his support for their efforts, again unsuccessful, to restore school prayer, ended in 1962 by another Supreme Court decision. With Bob Dole assured of the nomination, the pro-life victory at the platform committee marked a highwater mark for Christian Right influence within the party. Despite Christian Right pressure, in September 1996, the Senate had fallen ten votes short of the two-thirds needed to over-ride President Clinton's veto of the bill to ban partial-birth abortion.
