A new survey of evangelical leaders suggests that choosing a candidate for this group is not about party, not about any single issue -- but foremost, about character and conviction.

While many respondents specifically mentioned judicial appointments; compassion for the poor, and opposition to abortion and same-sex marriage as issues important to their vote, the leading answer to the poll question, “How do you decide which candidate to vote for?” was summarized this way:

“Policy proposals by candidates are likely to run into all kinds of snags—legislative, bureaucratic, judicial and regulatory. Don’t expect that a candidate can really deliver on most promises. But, the virtues and character strengths that a candidate has developed will remain constant. Indeed, those character strengths may be intensified by opposition. So judge a candidate on character as much or more than on policy proposals.”

National Association of Evangelicals President Leith Anderson's reflection on the survey results -- “I couldn’t guess which way many [evangelicals] will vote” -- is consistent with recent polls and evidence indicating that the evangelical vote is "very much up for grabs" this year (as John Green of the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life puts it).

Caring most about character sounds pretty consistent with the American population as a whole. An Associated Press-Ipsos poll last year found that 55 percent of those surveyed consider honesty, integrity and other values of character the most important qualities they look for in a presidential candidate.

More evidence from the front that it may well be time to stop stereotyping evangelicals and start focusing more on our shared values.