Religious Right’s Ever-Expanding Definition of ‘Traditional Values’

One of the most notoriously anti-gay groups on the Religious Right has taken its “traditional values” in an unusual direction – joining the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers to counter a bill in Congress that would set stricter fuel-economy standards. From the AP:

The lawmakers were joined by leaders with the United Auto Workers, the National Association of Manufacturers and the Rev. Lou Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition, who said families needed roomy, safe vehicles.

We’ve seen the Religious Right’s expansion of their agenda — to pension policy, terrorism, and tax cuts – before, at least around election time, when right-wing activists worked to promote the Republican Party. But this issue isn’t so clearly partisan, making the participation of Sheldon – called “Lucky Louie” by corrupt lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who allegedly sent TVC tens of thousands of dollars to work on behalf of his clients – all the more mysterious.