CIZIK: It damaged it because it became perceived by millions and millions of Americans as captive to a conservative ideology, not captive to Jesus or the Gospel but captive to an ideology that, uh, has departed from -- in so many ways from -- historic evangelicalism. We're trying to say, "We're for these things," and among those is you see, uh, this, uh, command to -- first and foremost in everything -- follow Jesus. Not the Republican Party or Rush Limbaugh or anybody else, but to follow what the Gospel says.
RUSH: This guy can't be an evangelical. I mean, it says here he's an evangelical. But every evangelical that I've ever heard on radio or TV does not say "Jesus." He says, "Jeeeee-SUS!" and "God-duh." You don't just say "Jesus." " Jeeeee-SUS!" So then Richard Cizik and the host had this exchange...
GROSS: (whispering) You mentioned the Republican Party and Rush Limbow. (sick) Do you think that some of the positions that evangelicals have been taking politically are to keep that alliance with the Republican Party and with powerful people with microphones like Rush Limbow?
CIZIK: Oh, of course! In other words, there are strong forces within evangelicalism against change.
RUSH: Well, this is a bunch of gobbledygook. There are "a bunch of forces within evangelicalism that are against change." Does this mean that I am more popular than The Beatles? Well, I'm just asking a question. More popular than John Lennon? Ooh! Ooo! Did you notice the NPR babe? (whispering) "Uh, you mentioned, uh, the Republican Party and Rush Limbow. Do you think, uh, that some of the positions that evangelicals been taken politically are to keep that alliance with the Republican Party with powerful people with microphones like Rush Limbow?" (laughing)
