GOP hopefuls don't impress evangelicals

WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) -- Leaders of evangelical Christians in the United States are expressing dissatisfaction with the three leading Republican presidential hopefuls.

Christian journalist Marvin Olasky, a University of Texas professor, says Christian conservatives have significant problems with Sen. John McCain of Arizona, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, The Washington Times reports.

"The question is what will be less distasteful to many evangelicals: Mitt Romney's one-wife Mormonism, Rudy Giuliani's marital mayhem or John McCain's recent disdain," Olasky says.

Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention says he wouldn't vote for Giuliani, adding that the conservative leaders he knows don't trust McCain either.

Another McCain opponent is James Dobson, founder of the Colorado-based group Focus on the Family.

Dobson criticizes McCain for sponsoring a bad campaign finance measure and not being in favor of traditional marriage.

As for Giuliani, Dobson told U.S. News & World Report he doesn't think the current excitement over Giuliani will continue.