14 thoughts on “Remove the teleprompter and here’s what you get…”
Hey Jeff,
I kind of thought we would disagree, but that’s alright. If any two people agree on everything, one of them is totally unnecessary! I do understand your reluctance to support McCain and you have a valid gripe. I was not happy in the least that he became the nominee (I voted for Huckabee in the primary) and have been struggling with how I would vote in November. The ticket ain’t perfect, but it’s better than the alternative. Steven Wright once said “Well you can’t have everything, where would you put it?” Nobody on the right gets what they want in this election, but we sure don’t want what the left will force down our throats. Thanks for the dialog.
Good stuff Greg, I have visited your site and blog and didn’t see a post on this. Personally and respectfully, I still think it a pragmatic choice, although the choosing of Palin does strengthen his commitment to social conservatives. I don’t think McCain is strong on Pro-life issue, I don’t think he is strong on Gay rights issues he has a long history of not being so. I have brought this up before; I would be very concerned with a McCain 1 term presidency. I don’t know if you are familiar with all that happened with the social conservative leaders and him back in 2000 but he has made it quite clear he does not like social conservative. He is saying all the right things now, but I wouldn’t trust him to fight for social values at all if he gets office. Palin may but he would be VP and can’t sign a thing into law.
The idea that social conservatives are considering him, to me, solidifies that we (evangelicals) or more political than religious or faith based. We have been told to vote “God’s way” now we have a guy that has not been for our causes and we are told vote better than the worst choice. Not me. I appreciate you taking the time to explain, Greg, I guess we can conclude that we will agree to disagree 😉
OK Jeff I’m back!
Your assumptions are correct. I am a fully convinced Calvinist, but have only been convinced within the last two years after many years of questioning all of the things I was taught all of my life. My journey to the Doctrines of Grace (a name I prefer since they have been taught for centuries prior to John Calvin and major Biblical doctrine should be known as such and not just by the name of a mere man that believed and taught them) is a long process that I will not discuss fully here due to the constraints of time (or your boredom, whichever were to come first!) So I will attempt to concisely answer your question, although that may be a real challenge! Here we go.
I do believe that we should vote Biblical principles, but there is more to it than that. Everything we do, no matter what area of life is involved, should be in the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because as the Bible tells us, it is the power of God unto salvation. I understand your reservations regarding McCain. As I have stated previously, I have my own reservations such as campaign finance reform (McCain-Feingold is a fiasco), immigration reform (McCain is not strong enough on border security and illegal immigration, which is a shame since he from a border state), global warming (he is much too squishy on this issue), and he tends to be too willing to pander to the other side in the name of bipartisanship (the gang of 14). On the other hand, He is strong on national defense (how can you fight with each other if there is not a free nation to fight within?!), he has been consistently pro-life (some my think he has not gone far enough of the life issue, but there is no way anyone can accuse him of being pro-death-I despise the term pro-choice, by the way!), and he also has proven that he is a man of character, something lacking in this current world of politics.
For the record, the Bible says in Proverbs 21:1 that “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” God is sovereign and ultimately his choice for any elected office will be elected. This does not excuse us from discerning which candidate is the best choice in a particular election, based on our Christian faith.
The question then becomes, as Christians, are we more concerned with just being right or are we more concerned with the advancement of the Gospel? In this election, there are only two candidates that have any kind of prayer of winning and ultimately effecting society at large. It seems to me that if we do not vote at all or we vote for a candidate we know has to chance of winning, we then are just as responsible the outcome of the election as we would be if we had voted for the winning candidate. If I vote for Chuck Baldwin, Alan Keyes, or Bob Barr (all of whom have stronger convictions on many issues than the major candidates do and all are fine honorable men and would serve the nation very well), I have essentially given my vote to either John McCain or Barack Obama. Personally, I could not live with myself if I contributed in any way to the election of Barack Obama. I have stated my problems with his beliefs in other posts.
Now for the question of the ages, how do we reconcile the Sovereignty of God against the Free Will of Man? I would be totally arrogant if I were to claim that I fully know the answer. But here goes.
The whole crux of the argument begins with what you believe regarding the Fall of Man and how it affects the Human Race. Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” We are in total rebellion against God because of our sin. (Psalm 14:3, Psalm 53:3. Romans 3:10-12). At the moment of Adam’s sin, Man became spiritually dead and became incapable to choose the right path to salvation. In other words, his free will became incapacitated. The free choice of whether to follow God is still there because God in his general mercy did not annihilate Adam at the point in time for his sin. The problem is that Man no longer had the ability to make that choice. In other words, he was and is in bondage to his will. You can tell a dead man all day long to pick himself up and follow God but until there is a quickening of his spirit, he will not be able to get up.
It is only after the quickening of the spirit can there be a free will. Even after we are truly saved we do make the choice to sin because of the unredeemed flesh in which we still live. The difference is that we as Christian now have a new nature brought about by the Spirit of God in the quickening work of salvation and now we despise our sin. The Apostle Paul discusses this fully in Romans Chapter 7.
Where does all of this lead? For me it means that since John McCain has picked a running mate that is not only pro-life in her words, but pro-life in her actions, I can now put my full support behind his candidacy. The comforting thing to me is that even if the candidate I support does not win the election, I have thought through all of the ramifications of my choice and can go to bed at night knowing that I have been consistent in my faith. I cannot possibly know the plan of God for this nation, but if He wants Obama as president, He will work out all the details and work all things for His Glory. Whoever wins the election, I am still going to praise my God because whoever it is, it will be the choice that brings Him all glory and praise. Thanks for listening and God bless!
Hey Jeff,
You have brought up a topic I love, but like you, I also have to work today and can’t devote any more time to this right now, but I do want to discuss this, maybe even write my own blog post regarding this topic. I’d love for you to check out my blog at http://evensongnet.blogspot.com. I’ll check back later. Take care.
Greg,
There are many Calvinist here, I am making the assumption that you are as well. We have been told for the last 30 or so years. Vote “biblical” principles, Vote God’s way etc. Now we have a candidate in McCain who doesn’t have much of a leg up on Obama in the social issues that social conservatives vote for, Abortion and Gay rights and now these same people that told us to vote for principle are now saying we need to vote for the better than worst. Wouldn’t it be more honorable to vote by principle and let the sovereign God, who many Calvinist claim when other societal issues arise, be in control? I am not demeaning Calvinism I just see the capitulation as a conflict to the terminology of the past. BTW I believe in a sovereign God but I am more of a Free willer. I think he let’s us mess up and I think he puts more control in our hands than Calvinist or Reformed would.
McCain is a poor choice for social conservatives bar none, his voting record is crystal clear, he does not care about the social conservative causes. In fact, I would me more concerned with him than Obama because after what happened to him in 2000 he has an axe to grind with the “agents of intolerance” as he put it back then.
b/Bo,
Merriam-Webster defines “vacuous” as “emptied of or lacking content” and this is exactly what I mean. To me it seems that Obama’s comments tend to betray what his upbringing and voting record tell us about his worldview. I just sounded to me like he was playing to the crowd at Saddleback. I am especially concerned about this remark:
“And it means that those sins that I have on a fairly regular basis, HOPEFULLY will be washed away.” (emphasis added)
1 John 5:13 says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (emphasis added) Honestly, it sounds to me as if he is not fully convinced of hope that lies within us as children of God. Politics aside, this man’s soul is in the balance. When I consider the theology of Jeremiah Wright, it’s no surprise to me that Obama is only hoping that his sins are washed away. Many times as Christians, we are too concerned about this world. Yes we need to help the needy (that is one of the churches responsibilities here, but not the primary one!), we must keep in mind what Christ said in John 18:36. “…My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” The kingdom he is using us to build is His spiritual kingdom. Everything we do must be toward that end. Mark 16:15 “…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Everything else we do must pale in comparison.
I do not wish any ill on this man, but I will never vote for him and because of his positions on my core values of life and morality. I will do everything in my power to make his positions and the ramifications of them known to everyone I can.
Jeff,
While I appreciate many of Ron Paul’s positions, he never had a prayer of winning the nomination. I admit, I still don’t understand why McCain got the nomination and it took me ’til last week to finally support him. Yes, there are 3 other great men running for president, Alan Keyes (for whom I voted in the 1996 Republican primary), Chuck Baldwin (a lot like Ron Paul, but no chance whatsoever), and Bob Barr (unless you watched the Clinton Impeachment hearings, you probably have no idea how he is!), but the problem with voting for a third party candidate with no prayer of winning is like going to a basketball game where you will give the ball to the team you want to win and when you evaluate both teams you decide you don’t want either of them to win, so you throw the ball in the stands and say, “I really showed them!” All you have done is allowed the inevitable to happen. By either not voting or voting a third party, what you have done in essence is support the winner of the election.
This is why the selection of Sarah Palin was so brilliant. McCain is right on his pro-life views, which is and should be the first issue on any Christian’s political agenda, but he has problem on a number of other issues. Palin shows that he is concerned about his base and that is a great move for any politician if they are truly concerned with winning. I do think it will be an enjoyable time and I look forward to more discussion regarding these important issues.
I guess we’ll have to see in the next few weeks what happens during the debates. I for one, if I were routing from McCain/Palin would be very concerned. Obama and Biden are going to crush those two. The one thing that Biden will have to be concerned with is making Palin look too bad as to arouse sympathy. Biden is a seasoned vet, Palin 18 months ago ran a city of 9,000, I realize this is left wing talking points but I think they are valid. Like a wise person once told me “test all things, hold on to that which is good” to me that means listen to all sides and consider the issues. I initially thought the Palin pick was brilliant because 1 it would reenergize the evangelical base, and 2 it would bring over the Hilary dissenters. The more this sinks in the more it looks to be a disaster in the making. Here’s why, as I have observed on this blog, many of the evangelicals that are excited about it would have voted that way anyway, while I think a decent % of Hillary dissenters will vote for Palin, I think the left is doing a great job at painting her as no Hillary. Finally, I think there are many in 2 camps that will make a difference for the right wing, Ron Paul Republicans and Young Evangelicals. There is no way that folks like myself, who supported Ron Paul, will ever vote for the movement conservatives, NeoCons whatever you want to call it. Ron Paul gave an open door for those who traditionally voted Republican but were unhappy with the last 7 years. There are many evangelicals in the age of 18 to 30 that don’t see the world like their parents did in the late 70’s and 80’s. There is a movement afoot to get back into the culture and improve it, this means to them voting for all the issues, not just abortion and Gay rights, in fact many think those issues are fought in the wrong manner. I am no political analyst, but I can see a train wreck coming for the right, we’ll see I am starting to love politics (from a distance).
I guess that’s where you and I disagree, Greg. I don’t find this response “vacuous” in the least, regardless of how many “um’s” and “er’s” along the way:
WARREN: Now, you’ve made no doubts about your faith in Jesus Christ. What does that mean to you? What does it mean to you to trust in Christ? And what does that mean to you on a daily basis? What does that really look like?
OBAMA: As a starting point, it means I believe in — that Jesus Christ died for my sins, and that I am redeemed through him. That is a source of strength and sustenance on a daily basis. Yes, I know that I don’t walk alone. And I know that if I can get myself out of the way, that I can maybe carry out in some small way what he intends.
And it means that those sins that I have on a fairly regular basis, hopefully will be washed away. But what it also means, I think, is a sense of obligation to embrace not just words, but through deeds, the expectations, I think, that god has for us. And that means thinking about the least of these. It means acting — well, acting justly, and loving mercy, and walking humbly with our god. And that — I think trying to apply those lessons on a daily basis, knowing that you’re going to fall a little bit short each day, and then being able to kind of take note and saying, well, that didn’t quite work out the way I think it should have, but maybe I can get a little bit better. It gives me the confidence to try things, including things like running for president, where you’re going to screw up once in a while.
b/Bo,
I knew there was more to your thoughts than just your boredom! ; )
The point is that whenever he has no carefully planned words, Obama’s comments tend to be rather vacuous. This is only one example of this. On the other hand, McCain, whether you agree with him or not, has solidified what he believes and is ready to give an answer to any question he is given. I understand that in this relativistic world we live in today that this may drive many people batty, but I believe it is a sign that someone has his worldview figured out and is willing to stand for it.
Greg, I just think the video was pretty silly and taken out of context. So the guy in the course of a conversation has some “ums” and “ers” – he’s CONVERSING. McCain didn’t converse, he spit out the hoped for sound bites and then told stories so he didn’t have to meaningfully engage Rick Warren and really answer the questions in any sort of detail. I realize that some take that as being decisive, but I took it more as flippant and pandering and overly-political and I was not impressed with it. For example:
WARREN: “…You publicly say you’re a follower of Christ. What does that mean to you and how does faith work out in your life on a daily basis? What does it mean to you?
MCCAIN: It means I’m saved and forgiven. We’re talking about the world. Our faith encompasses not just the United States of America but the world. Can I tell you another story real quick?
That’s how his faith is worked out in his life on a daily basis? Obama’s reply may have had um’s and er’s, but it was an actual conversation with thoughtful responses that it appears he had to provide on-the-spot. I won’t accuse McCain of knowing the questions ahead of time, though he did seem to be unusually good at anticipating them and having his sound bite ready.
So videos like this one do indeed bore me, and I find their intent deceptive at best.
b/Bo,
Sorry if we’re boring you, Bro.
McCain is not as polished a speaker, but we are electing a commander-in-chief in a time of war and world instability. If we were voting in a public speaking contest, Obama wins hands down but when it comes to electing a President he has virtually no experience and what he does have is a record of mediocrity. Palin has similar experience levels, but she has been incredibly effective in her time in office. Obama has been a rock star who has accomplished nothing. Thirty years of the kind of empty service Obama has given the people of Illinois doesn’t begin to comapre to what Sarah Palin has done in her time as Governor. Obama talks about change, McCain and Palin take action.
An empty suit with worn out ideas and a dangerous lack of experience. That is what a vote for Obama will get you.
Yawn.
He is an empty suit. All he has ever done is regurgitate every left-wing idea he has heard throughout his life. When you look at the associations that he has had throughout his life, it could be argued that he is the most left-wing person ever to serve in the United States Senate.
In 1 Corinthians 15:33, the Apostle Paul is SO right, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.'” (NASB) You can’t get any company more bad than William Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Frank Marshall Davis, or Tony Rezko.
We don’t need this kind of association in the White House. We need someone who knows what they believe, why they believe it, why it will benefit this country, and is not afraid to speak it on a moment’s notice. John McCain has now proven that he is committed to the conservative base enough to choose an unashamed conservative as his running mate and the fact that she is a woman is just icing on the cake. My reservations have been satisfied and now it is time to stand behind him as our candidate, despite our differences.
Hey Jeff,
I kind of thought we would disagree, but that’s alright. If any two people agree on everything, one of them is totally unnecessary! I do understand your reluctance to support McCain and you have a valid gripe. I was not happy in the least that he became the nominee (I voted for Huckabee in the primary) and have been struggling with how I would vote in November. The ticket ain’t perfect, but it’s better than the alternative. Steven Wright once said “Well you can’t have everything, where would you put it?” Nobody on the right gets what they want in this election, but we sure don’t want what the left will force down our throats. Thanks for the dialog.
Good stuff Greg, I have visited your site and blog and didn’t see a post on this. Personally and respectfully, I still think it a pragmatic choice, although the choosing of Palin does strengthen his commitment to social conservatives. I don’t think McCain is strong on Pro-life issue, I don’t think he is strong on Gay rights issues he has a long history of not being so. I have brought this up before; I would be very concerned with a McCain 1 term presidency. I don’t know if you are familiar with all that happened with the social conservative leaders and him back in 2000 but he has made it quite clear he does not like social conservative. He is saying all the right things now, but I wouldn’t trust him to fight for social values at all if he gets office. Palin may but he would be VP and can’t sign a thing into law.
The idea that social conservatives are considering him, to me, solidifies that we (evangelicals) or more political than religious or faith based. We have been told to vote “God’s way” now we have a guy that has not been for our causes and we are told vote better than the worst choice. Not me. I appreciate you taking the time to explain, Greg, I guess we can conclude that we will agree to disagree 😉
OK Jeff I’m back!
Your assumptions are correct. I am a fully convinced Calvinist, but have only been convinced within the last two years after many years of questioning all of the things I was taught all of my life. My journey to the Doctrines of Grace (a name I prefer since they have been taught for centuries prior to John Calvin and major Biblical doctrine should be known as such and not just by the name of a mere man that believed and taught them) is a long process that I will not discuss fully here due to the constraints of time (or your boredom, whichever were to come first!) So I will attempt to concisely answer your question, although that may be a real challenge! Here we go.
I do believe that we should vote Biblical principles, but there is more to it than that. Everything we do, no matter what area of life is involved, should be in the advancement of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because as the Bible tells us, it is the power of God unto salvation. I understand your reservations regarding McCain. As I have stated previously, I have my own reservations such as campaign finance reform (McCain-Feingold is a fiasco), immigration reform (McCain is not strong enough on border security and illegal immigration, which is a shame since he from a border state), global warming (he is much too squishy on this issue), and he tends to be too willing to pander to the other side in the name of bipartisanship (the gang of 14). On the other hand, He is strong on national defense (how can you fight with each other if there is not a free nation to fight within?!), he has been consistently pro-life (some my think he has not gone far enough of the life issue, but there is no way anyone can accuse him of being pro-death-I despise the term pro-choice, by the way!), and he also has proven that he is a man of character, something lacking in this current world of politics.
For the record, the Bible says in Proverbs 21:1 that “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will.” God is sovereign and ultimately his choice for any elected office will be elected. This does not excuse us from discerning which candidate is the best choice in a particular election, based on our Christian faith.
The question then becomes, as Christians, are we more concerned with just being right or are we more concerned with the advancement of the Gospel? In this election, there are only two candidates that have any kind of prayer of winning and ultimately effecting society at large. It seems to me that if we do not vote at all or we vote for a candidate we know has to chance of winning, we then are just as responsible the outcome of the election as we would be if we had voted for the winning candidate. If I vote for Chuck Baldwin, Alan Keyes, or Bob Barr (all of whom have stronger convictions on many issues than the major candidates do and all are fine honorable men and would serve the nation very well), I have essentially given my vote to either John McCain or Barack Obama. Personally, I could not live with myself if I contributed in any way to the election of Barack Obama. I have stated my problems with his beliefs in other posts.
Now for the question of the ages, how do we reconcile the Sovereignty of God against the Free Will of Man? I would be totally arrogant if I were to claim that I fully know the answer. But here goes.
The whole crux of the argument begins with what you believe regarding the Fall of Man and how it affects the Human Race. Romans 5:12 says, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” We are in total rebellion against God because of our sin. (Psalm 14:3, Psalm 53:3. Romans 3:10-12). At the moment of Adam’s sin, Man became spiritually dead and became incapable to choose the right path to salvation. In other words, his free will became incapacitated. The free choice of whether to follow God is still there because God in his general mercy did not annihilate Adam at the point in time for his sin. The problem is that Man no longer had the ability to make that choice. In other words, he was and is in bondage to his will. You can tell a dead man all day long to pick himself up and follow God but until there is a quickening of his spirit, he will not be able to get up.
It is only after the quickening of the spirit can there be a free will. Even after we are truly saved we do make the choice to sin because of the unredeemed flesh in which we still live. The difference is that we as Christian now have a new nature brought about by the Spirit of God in the quickening work of salvation and now we despise our sin. The Apostle Paul discusses this fully in Romans Chapter 7.
Where does all of this lead? For me it means that since John McCain has picked a running mate that is not only pro-life in her words, but pro-life in her actions, I can now put my full support behind his candidacy. The comforting thing to me is that even if the candidate I support does not win the election, I have thought through all of the ramifications of my choice and can go to bed at night knowing that I have been consistent in my faith. I cannot possibly know the plan of God for this nation, but if He wants Obama as president, He will work out all the details and work all things for His Glory. Whoever wins the election, I am still going to praise my God because whoever it is, it will be the choice that brings Him all glory and praise. Thanks for listening and God bless!
Hey Jeff,
You have brought up a topic I love, but like you, I also have to work today and can’t devote any more time to this right now, but I do want to discuss this, maybe even write my own blog post regarding this topic. I’d love for you to check out my blog at http://evensongnet.blogspot.com. I’ll check back later. Take care.
Greg,
There are many Calvinist here, I am making the assumption that you are as well. We have been told for the last 30 or so years. Vote “biblical” principles, Vote God’s way etc. Now we have a candidate in McCain who doesn’t have much of a leg up on Obama in the social issues that social conservatives vote for, Abortion and Gay rights and now these same people that told us to vote for principle are now saying we need to vote for the better than worst. Wouldn’t it be more honorable to vote by principle and let the sovereign God, who many Calvinist claim when other societal issues arise, be in control? I am not demeaning Calvinism I just see the capitulation as a conflict to the terminology of the past. BTW I believe in a sovereign God but I am more of a Free willer. I think he let’s us mess up and I think he puts more control in our hands than Calvinist or Reformed would.
McCain is a poor choice for social conservatives bar none, his voting record is crystal clear, he does not care about the social conservative causes. In fact, I would me more concerned with him than Obama because after what happened to him in 2000 he has an axe to grind with the “agents of intolerance” as he put it back then.
b/Bo,
Merriam-Webster defines “vacuous” as “emptied of or lacking content” and this is exactly what I mean. To me it seems that Obama’s comments tend to betray what his upbringing and voting record tell us about his worldview. I just sounded to me like he was playing to the crowd at Saddleback. I am especially concerned about this remark:
“And it means that those sins that I have on a fairly regular basis, HOPEFULLY will be washed away.” (emphasis added)
1 John 5:13 says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (emphasis added) Honestly, it sounds to me as if he is not fully convinced of hope that lies within us as children of God. Politics aside, this man’s soul is in the balance. When I consider the theology of Jeremiah Wright, it’s no surprise to me that Obama is only hoping that his sins are washed away. Many times as Christians, we are too concerned about this world. Yes we need to help the needy (that is one of the churches responsibilities here, but not the primary one!), we must keep in mind what Christ said in John 18:36. “…My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” The kingdom he is using us to build is His spiritual kingdom. Everything we do must be toward that end. Mark 16:15 “…Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Everything else we do must pale in comparison.
I do not wish any ill on this man, but I will never vote for him and because of his positions on my core values of life and morality. I will do everything in my power to make his positions and the ramifications of them known to everyone I can.
Jeff,
While I appreciate many of Ron Paul’s positions, he never had a prayer of winning the nomination. I admit, I still don’t understand why McCain got the nomination and it took me ’til last week to finally support him. Yes, there are 3 other great men running for president, Alan Keyes (for whom I voted in the 1996 Republican primary), Chuck Baldwin (a lot like Ron Paul, but no chance whatsoever), and Bob Barr (unless you watched the Clinton Impeachment hearings, you probably have no idea how he is!), but the problem with voting for a third party candidate with no prayer of winning is like going to a basketball game where you will give the ball to the team you want to win and when you evaluate both teams you decide you don’t want either of them to win, so you throw the ball in the stands and say, “I really showed them!” All you have done is allowed the inevitable to happen. By either not voting or voting a third party, what you have done in essence is support the winner of the election.
This is why the selection of Sarah Palin was so brilliant. McCain is right on his pro-life views, which is and should be the first issue on any Christian’s political agenda, but he has problem on a number of other issues. Palin shows that he is concerned about his base and that is a great move for any politician if they are truly concerned with winning. I do think it will be an enjoyable time and I look forward to more discussion regarding these important issues.
I guess we’ll have to see in the next few weeks what happens during the debates. I for one, if I were routing from McCain/Palin would be very concerned. Obama and Biden are going to crush those two. The one thing that Biden will have to be concerned with is making Palin look too bad as to arouse sympathy. Biden is a seasoned vet, Palin 18 months ago ran a city of 9,000, I realize this is left wing talking points but I think they are valid. Like a wise person once told me “test all things, hold on to that which is good” to me that means listen to all sides and consider the issues. I initially thought the Palin pick was brilliant because 1 it would reenergize the evangelical base, and 2 it would bring over the Hilary dissenters. The more this sinks in the more it looks to be a disaster in the making. Here’s why, as I have observed on this blog, many of the evangelicals that are excited about it would have voted that way anyway, while I think a decent % of Hillary dissenters will vote for Palin, I think the left is doing a great job at painting her as no Hillary. Finally, I think there are many in 2 camps that will make a difference for the right wing, Ron Paul Republicans and Young Evangelicals. There is no way that folks like myself, who supported Ron Paul, will ever vote for the movement conservatives, NeoCons whatever you want to call it. Ron Paul gave an open door for those who traditionally voted Republican but were unhappy with the last 7 years. There are many evangelicals in the age of 18 to 30 that don’t see the world like their parents did in the late 70’s and 80’s. There is a movement afoot to get back into the culture and improve it, this means to them voting for all the issues, not just abortion and Gay rights, in fact many think those issues are fought in the wrong manner. I am no political analyst, but I can see a train wreck coming for the right, we’ll see I am starting to love politics (from a distance).
I guess that’s where you and I disagree, Greg. I don’t find this response “vacuous” in the least, regardless of how many “um’s” and “er’s” along the way:
WARREN: Now, you’ve made no doubts about your faith in Jesus Christ. What does that mean to you? What does it mean to you to trust in Christ? And what does that mean to you on a daily basis? What does that really look like?
OBAMA: As a starting point, it means I believe in — that Jesus Christ died for my sins, and that I am redeemed through him. That is a source of strength and sustenance on a daily basis. Yes, I know that I don’t walk alone. And I know that if I can get myself out of the way, that I can maybe carry out in some small way what he intends.
And it means that those sins that I have on a fairly regular basis, hopefully will be washed away. But what it also means, I think, is a sense of obligation to embrace not just words, but through deeds, the expectations, I think, that god has for us. And that means thinking about the least of these. It means acting — well, acting justly, and loving mercy, and walking humbly with our god. And that — I think trying to apply those lessons on a daily basis, knowing that you’re going to fall a little bit short each day, and then being able to kind of take note and saying, well, that didn’t quite work out the way I think it should have, but maybe I can get a little bit better. It gives me the confidence to try things, including things like running for president, where you’re going to screw up once in a while.
b/Bo,
I knew there was more to your thoughts than just your boredom! ; )
The point is that whenever he has no carefully planned words, Obama’s comments tend to be rather vacuous. This is only one example of this. On the other hand, McCain, whether you agree with him or not, has solidified what he believes and is ready to give an answer to any question he is given. I understand that in this relativistic world we live in today that this may drive many people batty, but I believe it is a sign that someone has his worldview figured out and is willing to stand for it.
Greg, I just think the video was pretty silly and taken out of context. So the guy in the course of a conversation has some “ums” and “ers” – he’s CONVERSING. McCain didn’t converse, he spit out the hoped for sound bites and then told stories so he didn’t have to meaningfully engage Rick Warren and really answer the questions in any sort of detail. I realize that some take that as being decisive, but I took it more as flippant and pandering and overly-political and I was not impressed with it. For example:
WARREN: “…You publicly say you’re a follower of Christ. What does that mean to you and how does faith work out in your life on a daily basis? What does it mean to you?
MCCAIN: It means I’m saved and forgiven. We’re talking about the world. Our faith encompasses not just the United States of America but the world. Can I tell you another story real quick?
That’s how his faith is worked out in his life on a daily basis? Obama’s reply may have had um’s and er’s, but it was an actual conversation with thoughtful responses that it appears he had to provide on-the-spot. I won’t accuse McCain of knowing the questions ahead of time, though he did seem to be unusually good at anticipating them and having his sound bite ready.
So videos like this one do indeed bore me, and I find their intent deceptive at best.
b/Bo,
Sorry if we’re boring you, Bro.
McCain is not as polished a speaker, but we are electing a commander-in-chief in a time of war and world instability. If we were voting in a public speaking contest, Obama wins hands down but when it comes to electing a President he has virtually no experience and what he does have is a record of mediocrity. Palin has similar experience levels, but she has been incredibly effective in her time in office. Obama has been a rock star who has accomplished nothing. Thirty years of the kind of empty service Obama has given the people of Illinois doesn’t begin to comapre to what Sarah Palin has done in her time as Governor. Obama talks about change, McCain and Palin take action.
An empty suit with worn out ideas and a dangerous lack of experience. That is what a vote for Obama will get you.
Yawn.
He is an empty suit. All he has ever done is regurgitate every left-wing idea he has heard throughout his life. When you look at the associations that he has had throughout his life, it could be argued that he is the most left-wing person ever to serve in the United States Senate.
In 1 Corinthians 15:33, the Apostle Paul is SO right, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.'” (NASB) You can’t get any company more bad than William Ayers, Jeremiah Wright, Frank Marshall Davis, or Tony Rezko.
We don’t need this kind of association in the White House. We need someone who knows what they believe, why they believe it, why it will benefit this country, and is not afraid to speak it on a moment’s notice. John McCain has now proven that he is committed to the conservative base enough to choose an unashamed conservative as his running mate and the fact that she is a woman is just icing on the cake. My reservations have been satisfied and now it is time to stand behind him as our candidate, despite our differences.