Talking With David Frost: Ralph Reed

Ralph Reed, executive director of the Christian Coalition, recently received cover story treatment from Time, a sure sign that he has become a Washington power broker. Today, Republican lawmakers are lining up in the hallway outside to pay court to Reed, and this trend raises a bothersome question: should political parties become identified with religious organizations? Reflecting a common confusion, Frost asks if the Christian Coalition is a political group with religious overtones, or a religious group with political leanings? Reed says we need this organization because the government no longer reflects the traditional values of most Americans, and in fact works against many of them. He outlines his recently unveiled "Contract with the American Family," and gives an explanation of the group's stand on abortion, homosexuality, school prayer, welfare, and the balanced budget amendment, which Reed classifies as a values issue. He feels that "people of faith" are being persecuted in America for their beliefs, though he stops short of mentor Pat Robertson's claim that today's Christians are to be compared with Holocaust victims. Reed is media-wise and smooth in avoiding questions he prefers not to answer, while at the same time seeming quite sincere. Frost's interviewing skills are sharp here. When Reed says government's role in sex education must be to support abstinence before marriage, Frost casually asks if Reed engaged in premarital sex. Caught offguard for a moment, Reed quickly recovers, but never answers the question. Although already dated in the matter of Dr. Henry Foster--Clinton's controversial, unsuccessful nominee for surgeon-general--this is still recommended for current history collections. (S. Rees)