the evangelical "stranglehold" through churches is the most over-rated dynamic in our entire political system. This is propaganda. Liberal fear-mongering. An average congregation will vote according to the congregation's social distribution. For example, an all-black evangelical congregation is almost certain to vote . . . how? Most southern Baptist congregations will have their fair share of school teachers and other types of government workers who will all vote like all public school teachers some other government workers do (democrat), their fair share of persons employed in some form of private sector work who vote like most persons employed in the private sector do (republican), and a mix of other persons who comprise a voter distribution based on their individual interest. And yes, there are plenty of gay people in white evangelical congregations who don't vote republican.
Churches have been forbid for a 1/2 century from having a political voice in order to "protect" their tax exemption status. When people go to church they volunteer to listen to individuals professionally qualified to provide interpretations of biblical text, which very often would lead to modern political parallels which persons possessing PHDs in theological studies are not allowed to approach. This is pure garbage. How does this compare to charitable organizations which, although are also restricted from politicizing and making political endorsements, often form / structure themselves / modify their activities / publicize mission statements / etc. based on or similar to an existing and very often liberal political agenda?
Good points, I hadn't looked at it that way.