I love God--vote for me |
by Kristine Steakley |
One of my friends used to lament, "Is it just me?", looking for sympathy and commiseration over the stupidity of others; and I liked to shoot back, "It might be you."
So maybe it's just me, but I feel manipulated this campaign season. It seems you can't go anywhere lately without tripping over some candidate's rush to extol their faith in God, their reliance on Him in times of trouble. As if all us simple Christians need to hear is that you're showing up for the revival service and we'll think you're the right man or woman for the job.
There was Rudy Giuliani telling a recent gathering organized by the Family Research Council that his "belief in God and reliance on his guidance is at the core of who" he is. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney is trying hard to convince evangelicals that Mormonism is just like Protestant Christianity. Now Barack Obama's campaign is hosting a Gospel concert series in South Carolina, which I'm sure will be lovely but doesn't tell us much about his qualifications to be President of the United States.
Obviously, I think faith is a great thing (or I wouldn't be blogging here) and it is rather nice to know that the person running our country is answering to a higher authority. What I'm weary of, though, is this whole dog-and-pony show that faith has become in the political arena: Trot out the "I pray to God" trick and all the Christian rubes will mark your name on the ballot.
The odd thing is that, for all the stategy and hiring of consultants to win the religious right's vote, one thing is very clear: genuine faith, piously expressed, is not the political ace-in-the-hole. If it were, Sam Brownback wouldn't have dropped out, and he and Mike Huckabee would be leading the polls.
What bothers me about all the God talk on the campaign trail is that it obscures where the candidates stand on issues. I want to know what the people who propose to run our country believe about things like immigration, crime, justice, states' rights, and national security. I want to know that our President is a person of integrity, wisdom, and compassion.
I would rather, when it comes down to it, have someone in the Oval Office who leads our nation well and ignores God than one who prays for three hours every day and leads us poorly. (And hallelujah if we can get someone who leads well and bows the knee to God, as we've had several times in our nation's history.) Tell me you'll lead us well and how you propose to do so; but, please, whatever you do, don't reduce the deeply held convictions of my heart to a political manipulation device.
Amen!
Posted by: Catherine | October 31, 2007 at 11:54 AM
One of my least favorite headlines of this whole campaign was something about Rudy Giuliani offering "reassurance" to pro-lifers. Well, thanks, but I'm not looking for a pat on the head, I'm looking for a presidential candidate who believes in the sanctity of human life.
Posted by: Gina Dalfonzo | October 31, 2007 at 12:06 PM
Somehow, I don't think Jesus would approve of being used as a marketing tool for politicians!
Frankly, when I look at the candidates from both parties, I'm ready to throw my hands up in despair. Right now, I'm planning to leave the box for president empty when I go to the polls next Fall. (My prediction: The winner will be the Hillary Clinton / Wesley Clark ticket.)
And for those anti-Bushies who have bumper stickers that read "January 20, 2009. Hang in there!" ... I have to ask, "Just what makes you believe that ANY of these candidates is going to be any better?"
Posted by: Diane Singer | October 31, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Here, here! I'm so glad that that it "isn't just me".
Posted by: Faith | October 31, 2007 at 12:33 PM
Frankly, I'm disgusted by the "front runners" for office this time around. In the last 4 years, my politics have changed greatly. I was a dyed in the wool democrat and now I'm an independent who cares more about social issues like abortion than anything else.
What really irritates me is being pandered to. Someone should just tell Hillary and Barack I'm not voting for either of them. And as pretty as John Edwards is, he's not on my top bagillion list, let alone a viable candidate I would waste my vote on this time around. (Yeah, I voted Kerry/Edwards in 2004. Boo on me.)
I don't think anyone, short of Mike Huckabee, has said a thing that would make me want to vote for them. So for now, I'm going to continue to pray for Mike Huckabee and hopefully watch him advance higher in the polls. At least then I'd have someone I could vote for.
Posted by: Samantha | October 31, 2007 at 12:43 PM
This is why I like Huckabee. He is straightforward and his faith shows in his answers to issues. Every time I see him being interviewed I am impressed with him.
As he said in one of those interviews This is who I am and this is what I believe so you like me or not but at least you know where I stand.
Right now I view him as the best candidate in both parties.
Diane I would urge you to not leave the president box empty. As Christians we need to cast our vote even if it is only for the lesser of 2 evils. Leaving it blank serves no purpose.
BTW I have always felt that for each office there should be a box that says "None of the Above" and if it wins you start over with new candidates. Probably not feasible but it might give candidates a second thought on their approach.
Posted by: Dennis Babish | October 31, 2007 at 01:30 PM
And for those anti-Bushies who have bumper stickers that read "January 20, 2009. Hang in there!" ... I have to ask, "Just what makes you believe that ANY of these candidates is going to be any better?"
Because they can't be worse?
Posted by: Roberto Rivera | October 31, 2007 at 03:11 PM
Dennis, The "lesser of two evils" is still evil. Roberto, Of course he/she can be worse! Hillary already qualifies in my book.
Posted by: Diane Singer | November 01, 2007 at 11:20 AM
Since virtually every thing I see and hear about the candidates (including a portrayal of their faith) is selected by the media, I don't feel comfortable judging the depth of their faith. I tend to gain more by looking for information about their experiences and choices they made in life.
Also, as a Christian, I am very troubled by the casual way in which media coverage of elections ignores or trivializes the most marginal of our brothers and sisters in our communities - the poor and the stranger (immigrants). But just because the media and other powerful institutions ignore them, does not mean I should, too.
Several candidates have made choices in life and taken actions that give me some confidence that they will not forget the least powerful of our brothers and sisters; even after those candidates have to jump through all kinds of media and institutional hoops to be considered "credible" and even after they spend a lot of time with very powerful interests to raise money.
The person I find who most consistently reflects concern for the poor and the stranger is Senator Obama. I read his book and was touched by how he approached the obstacles and opportunities in his life. He has also spent far less of his life among the consultants in DC and has not been as consistent in silencing himself in the face of media image-making. That can also be said of Gov. Huckabee. During Sen. Obama's childhood he was a stranger in a foreign land and later he worked with the poor in Chicago.
I am also encouraged that he refuses to take money from PACs (the institutions that turn too many public servants into servants of powerful vested interests). Of course, that act makes him a threat to powerful interests and may doom his chance of raising enough money to hang in there for another year.
All of the candidates are in my prayers. I believe at their core they are all motivated by a genuine calling for public service.
Posted by: Jim Hansen | November 01, 2007 at 04:51 PM