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Don’t Go There
Posted by Roger Ferrell in Uncategorized
*Disclaimer: The political views expressed below are the personal views of the author and are not sponsored by, nor should be misconstrued as representing the views of all contributors to sbc IMPACT!, Woodland Creek Church, or the Gwinnett Metro Baptist Association.
Okay, now that the disclaimer is out of the way, I’m going there, because I think we need to talk about it.
Politics.
Unless you have been living on a desert island, you know that last night Mike Huckabee (R) and Barack Obama (D) won the Iowa caucus. This was a big surprise to most people, especially Mitt Romney and Hillary Clinton. But it happened, and it makes a statement about what Iowa is looking for in a president.
Now I know this is not a political blog, and I am not looking for vitrolic hyperbole about why your candidate is best. But here is what I would like to ask our readers:
(1) What do you think last night’s results say about what America is looking for in a president?
(2) What are you looking for in a president?
And (3) Most important, how are you praying about this election?
This blog has proven itself over the last four months as a great place for civil discourse about tough issues. The election of our next president is pretty important stuff, and the body of Christ has a responsibility to be informed, pray and participate in the election of our leaders, so let’s talk about it, and in so doing, glorify the God we serve.
Here are my thoughts:
(1) America is looking for a leader who will promise change and deliver change. They are looking for a leader who is strong, decisive, uncorruptible, not a know-it-all but a lifelong learner, a good and straight-shooting communicator, loves his wife and family, and believes we live in a great country that needs great leadership.
(2) I am looking for a president who is honest, who does not waffle on the issues, who is not afraid to say “I don’t know but I will find out,” who believes that we are endowed by our Creator with certain rights, but also certain responsibilities. I am looking for, and praying for, a president who values human life from conception to death, who does not put aside his God to be politically correct, but who leads with integrity a country of religious, ethnic, and philisophical pluralism in a way that will help make our lives meaningful, not comfortable. I am looking for a man who will say tough things that we need to hear, not rah-rah things that we want to hear, who will not lie to us, will not pander to us, but instead lead us. And yes, I think the president of the United States should love Jesus, and not just for the cameras.
(3) I am praying, simply, for Mike Huckabee to continue to be and show himself to be a man of godly integrity and wisdom, and if he continues in this way, to win the election. I am also praying that God will touch the hearts of each and every candidate and speak to them in a way that convinces them of His kingship. I am praying they will listen to His voice, humble themselves and submit to him as Lord, and then lead others in the way He would have them to go. I am praying God will give the American people wisdom to discern the truth from the hoopla, and to elect a man after God’s own heart, with godly character and godly wisdom and then support him with their prayers and encouragement.
How about you? Wanna go there?
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Roger – great comments, I haven’t heard many people talking about prayer yet.
America has been trained (conditioned?) by the last five years of reality TV to vote on one issue above all else – like-ability.
I know this sounds simplistic, but it’s plain when you look at the younger voters. They don’t want a president, they want a rock star.
This is what sunk Hillary and Mitt last night. People saw them and said, “I just don’t like those people.” It’s hard to buy enough PR to counteract poor charisma.
“I like Mike” is a better slogan than most people realize. And for the record, I do like Mike.
Here’s the challenge. Can Mike overcome the gravity of Bush’s presidency while at the same time out-liking Obama?
Tony,
Likeability is an issue, and may go to a deeper one. Now that it is possible to know everything about every candidate (thanks to the internet and bloggers like you and me), people are looking for candidates they like who are the same on TV as they are at home and on the campaign trail, and in the voting booth. We call that integrity. If likeability is linked to integrity, that’s good. If it has to do with good looks, we’re in trouble.
It is interesting how all of the candidates continue to talk about change, change, change. No one wants to continue the Bush legacy. Everyone is calling for a “new” government. But look back at the history of our elections: everyone always has.
Bill O’Reilly says that none of the candidates have yet provided innovative solutions to America’s problems. Their ability to do that, and their willingness to do what is best for all, rather than just a privileged few, could make a good president. The interesting question is, “what is your definition of what is good for a person?” Does “good” equal more money in your pocket, or is it more than that?
Roger: I like Mike, but since the final results, the news seems to be playing non-stop soundbites and entire speeches by Obama. Could it be the media likes Obama?
I’ve been praying ever since this election started heating up. Actually for next to three years when they first started talking about Hillary as the “Next” and Bill as the “First”. Lord protect us. selahV
In the past several months, I have tried to get abreast of the issues, read about the views of different candidates, and watch the debates. I have also taken several different issue-candidate compatibility tests. Consistently, Huckabee has been the candidate that most closely matches my own views.
At the same time, though, I am somewhat nervous about Huckabee publicizing himself as the “Christian candidate” and the press blowing up the evangelical angle every opportunity they get. I think it is important that the president not be seen as the candidate of one particular religious group. It is not good for the morale and unity of the country. And, it is dangerous for us as evangelicals to think we are “something special” in a world as complicated, and dirty as secular politics. I believe it is more conducive to live out our faith in a faithful way from the outside looking in than as power-brokers and political insiders.
Although I hesitate to say it, knowing it will be controversial, I believe the Bush presidency has done much to discredit evangelical witness in many places around the world. Although, from what I can tell, I like Huckabee’s stands on the issues more than those of Bush, I am nervous that any slip-up, or inconsistency on Huckabee’s part, may help to further alienate people around the world to our witness as evangelicals. On the other hand, if he is really wise, and really has God’s hand upon him, the opposite could happen.
I agree with you (and Tony). We need to be much in prayer about this.
1. America doesn’t have a clue as to what it wants. The media muddles it up to be sure, but the vast majority of people are looking for someone who doesn’t exist. Iowa is a poor choice to gauge what America wants, and last night’s results proved that. One is a cardboard cutout/media creation, and the other is a Jimmy Carter flashback for me (with additional footage from Bill Clinton). I haven’t really settled on a candidate yet. Ruled out some, but haven’t picked one of either party.
2. I’m looking for someone who can do the job well. Who is trustworthy. Who can do the job well. Did I say that already? It bears repeating again. Who can do the job well. It seems that providing resolve and a realistic view of the world and its challenges has fallen on the office of the president of the US at this time in history. We are in a historic clash of civilization against barbarism abroad, while suffering the effects of many social ills here. The man needs to be up to it and care more about principles than his or America’s popularity.
3. I am praying, have been praying since this circus began, and asking others to do the same.
Oh yeah, one other thought I meant to include above:
The other day, I heard one of the “talking heads” on Fox News talking about how Huckabee, rather than being a true “conservative” was really more a “Christian” candidate. It was obvious his intention in saying this was to discredit Huckabee before the conservative Republican voter base.
In a way, I think this pundit was probably on target. But, for me, what he said only served to confirm my support for Huckabee, rather than diminish it. I am hopeful that, in my worldview, I am neither totally “conservative” nor “liberal”, but rather authentically “Christian.”
However, as the campaign progresses, I am concerned that Huckabee may seem to be being drawn in, little by little, to the “conservative” agenda, in an attempt to not alienate the larger-scale Republican voter base. Politics does have a way of changing you.
In an ideal world, I would love to see someone with a consistently “Christian” worldview win the presidency as an independent, but without, at the same time, wearing their “Christian label” on their sleeve. I’m not holding my breath, though.
I made the huge mistake of voting for a good (Baptist) Christian in 1976. Then, I flew a black flag the day another “good” Baptist (husband of one of our candidates) won the presidency. Once bitten… I will not vote for a person just because he would make a good pastor.
What does America want? They don’t know. “Change” is such a cliche. Voters have wanted change every election since I have been alive. I can’t believe any politician still uses it for a by-line.
I was pleased that Hillary and Romney were surprised that they were not the front runners in Iowa. Shake it up a little.
What I am praying for? I am praying for good common sense, conviction, guts, perseverance, steadfastness, wisdom and, yes, Christian values, but they don’t have to wear them on their sleeves.
I’m voting for Fred.
Liz
Well, I’m a little late on commenting, but maybe someone will read this. As many Americans, I have been very anxious about our next president. When it comes to elections, I have realized that it’s a crucial time where you “have to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.” So, I did some research last night and quickly realized that what I thought I was leaning toward was definitely not matching up with my morals. I found a web site where you can take a quiz–Democrat or Republican to see which candidate most matches your views and values. I was astonished to see that every democrat supports: same sex unions, stem cell research, and a woman’s right to choose. The issues were tough and I admit I didn’t know enough about some of them to really make a choice, but still the quiz was interesting. I took both party quizzes. My highest percentage of the two was in support of Mike Huckabee. At this web site you can also read the platform for each candidate.
Anyway, I just thought that I would share something that might be helpful, but not controversial.
Web Site:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/interactives/candidatequiz/
Selah,
I think the media does like Obama, but they seem to have been pretty fair to Huckabee as well.
David,
Thanks for the comments. I’m praying right along with you.
David R.,
Good commentary. I’m not sure I see Huckabee being drawn into the “conservative” camp beyond his Christian beliefs. Enlighten me.
Karen,
Thanks for your comments. It is true that sometimes candidates appeal to us because of their charisma, rhetoric, personal history or what others have said about them. But then we look at what they believe, and we see they are not godly. So thanks for sharing the candidate quiz. That is a great tool for discerning what the candidates really believe.
Liz,
Thanks for commenting. It is interesting to me that as I read your comments, I realized that I don’t think I would want Mike Huckabee to be my pastor. Nothing against him, I just think of him as more statesman-like than pastoral. And that probably has to do with the calling God has placed on his life in this season. I do think he would make a very good president. And your references to Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton struck me in a similar fashion. I have sat in Carter’s Sunday School class and he was very good. I could see him being a pastor, though our theology is not the same and I would not attend his church. Bill Clinton would not make a good pastor, and is someone I respect very little. I won’t say any more about him.
I agree with you that it is not wise to vote for someone for president just because they are Baptist or would make a good pastor, or because they claim Christian belief. I do believe that a candidate with Christ-like character would make a good president, and that is one of the reasons I am planning to vote for Huckabee. I did some research on Thompson after your comment, and I still struggle with voting for a man who would divorce his wife and marry another woman. That is just because of my personal experience with my father, and of course, convictions from scripture.
Isn’t it interesting all the things that affect our vote?
And isn’t it scary all of the ways that a president affects our lives?
roger,
i’m too am praying for the usa, and i pray that people will vote for the man who will do away with abortion, stand against gay agenda, and lower taxes…or least will not raise taxes. thus, i believe that i’ll be voting for huckabee. i hope that others will do the same.
but, the only person who will ever set this ole world straight is the King of kings… the Lord Jesus.
david
Karen and Volfan,
Amen to that, both of ya.
Roger,
It may be my subjective impression. But it seems to me that since Huckabee has been criticized in relation to allowing in-state tuition for children of illegal immigrants, and for talking of Bush’s “arrogant bunker mentality” toward foreign policy, he has been especially careful to come across as more hard-line on both immigration and Iraq than what he seemed to be communicating earlier on.
Ah, the holy trinity of political agenda items for the conservative evangelical christian voter: abortion, gay rights, and taxes.
I’m surprised it took 11 comments for them to surface. Why is it that the evangelical christian voter never comments about kingdom focused items like the widows and orphans, the poor, destitute, and hungry? Why is it that we focus on being the moral compass for a nation, and even the world, while social issues, such as those I’ve listed go untouched?
Why is it that we would rather outlaw the things we disagree with than engage those involved in such things with conversations about Jesus?
I’m stumped as to why the church in America has done very little to help the widows and orphans, the poor and hungry, yet at the same think that what will solve the ills of our country are outlawing abortion and shutting down the gay agenda.
-shorty
Shorty,
It is precisely for the issues you bring up here that I have been attracted to Huckabee’s candidacy. I by no means claim to be an infallible interpreter of the reality behind the rhetoric. But, from what I am hearing so far, Huckabee seems to me to be the candidate who is pro-life that, at the same time, best voices a believable concern for the underprivileged.
I was just speaking to those issues that the candidates support or don’t support. It’s not that I don’t think those other issues are extremely urgent. They just weren’t in context with what I mentioned in my first comment. As a teacher, I am the first to stand up for the orphans, the poor, and the hungry. But, thanks for reminding me of all of these important issues. Politics runs my mind in circles, but praise God for being in charge!
Karen – my comment was aimed more at Roger’s comment (#11) than yours. He specifically called on people to vote for the candidate that would “do away with abortion, stand against gay agenda, and lower taxes”.
I just think that’s a narrow Kingdom focus. There has to be more to an election for the evangelical voter than those 3 issues…but unfortunately every time a vote comes up this is where we choose to focus all of our attention.
-shorty
Sorry, David’s comment, not Roger’s.
-shorty
Let me take a run at defending those as a “outer fence” though I’d agree there are a lot of issues that should be important to evangelical voters in addition to those three.
Abortion – sanctity of life. Those who have a permissive position on abortion also generally have positions on other areas touching on life that put them at odds with most evangelicals. Stem cell research on embryos, euthanasia.
Homosexual agenda – sanctity of marriage as a basic foundation of civilization. Not many I know are in favor of criminalizing homosexual behavior among consenting adults, or making sure people caught within that lifestyle aren’t discriminated against. But extending the same benefits and advantages given to married couples has a waterfall effect on other laws and rights.
Taxes – if we really understood what taxation does within our society maybe this one would not be held as one of the “big three”. The tax code isn’t just a revenue collection device, it also shapes society. The pressures on families financially are so great today that this is an easy sell to most.
So I’d agree we need to spread out more, but I can understand why these are touchstone issues for many.