(REUTERS) — If Republicans win control of the Senate in the midterm elections they should say a prayer of thanks for Christian conservatives.
Although they get little attention from candidates, white evangelical Christian voters are likely to be fundamental to any Republican victories in the key Senate races, especially in the South.
Reuters/Ipsos polling data shows evangelicals are more enthusiastic than the general population about the midterms.
The religious right's influence may be much reduced since the days of Moral Majority leader Jerry Falwell's alliances with Republican presidents.