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DEL.ICIO.USA footnote from the religious wars of the Republican primary
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since religion and politics is likely to be the popular topic this weekend, what with John McCain and Barack Obama having a joint appearance at Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church in California, it might be worth your while to click to this roundtable discussion on the topic offered by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life.
One of the participants was Mark DeMoss, the Christian publicist from Gwinnett County who acted as the liaison to Southern evangelicals for Mitt Romney during the GOP primary contest. DeMoss identifies former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, a Southern Baptist, as a key factor in Romney’s defeat, which still stings.
Says DeMoss:
”I agree with those who say, your faith is important and it defines you. But I don’t think faith should be a calling card in political races. For example, [former] Gov. [Mike] Huckabee ran an ad in South Carolina before the primary there that identified him as a Christian leader. And he said, my faith defines me, it’s who I am, and so on. I agree with that as a Christian.
“He didn’t run that ad in Michigan; he didn’t run that ad in Florida. If your faith defines you, it defines you in all 50 states or it doesn’t define you at all, in my view. That’s what I’m troubled by - that faith becomes a political football or a calling card in whose faith is better.”
Photo credit: Nick Arroyo/AJC
Comments
By Copyleft
August 14, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
The evangelicals have no candidate supporting their views this year. Therefore, they’ll vote Republican anyway.
By Julie S
August 14, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
It’s Saddleback, not Saddlebrook.
By Julie S
August 14, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
It’s Saddleback, not Saddlebrook.
By Shelby
August 14, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Mark DeMoss is spot on in that Huckaphony played the religion card only when it served his political agenda.
I pity the Huck supporters who still are being fooled by their reptilian con man Huck. This loser was never a viable candidate but rather just a plague on this election.
By DCS
August 14, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
“There shall be no religious test for public office.” The older I get, the more sense the Framers’ position on eligibility for elective office makes.
By Jesse Anderson
August 14, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this
You know the more I read a lot of things on the web’s the more I see that some people’s just don’t used the brain to think with, all the comments are just out of the world, why would you not make a point or have something’s good to say about anythings in the world, if you are not going to help make it a better place to live, then please keep your mouth shut.
By Democratic Debutante
August 14, 2008 5:17 PM | Link to this
No one seems to be noticing that evangelicals under 60 say that their top issues are health care for everyone and the environment (especially, global warming). I think a lot of them are beginning to see that the GOP has sold the environment and health care down the river for contributions of the big insurance and energy lobbies.
While I will not say that those issues are my only priorities, they also loom large in my mind, along with this awful war and education. I am a Democrat because I am a Christian. I invite the evangelicals to join me.
DD
By Truth4u
August 14, 2008 7:09 PM | Link to this
What makes Romney most qualified. If you look at the fact Huckabee has Governing experience 10-1/2 years and Romney only has 4yrs as Governor, This would make Huckabee a Pro and Romney a rooky. During the four years Mitt Romney was governor of Massachusetts, it had the second worst jobs record of state in America.” “But for the destruction of New Orleans, Massachusetts under Romney would have come in dead last.” (Boston Herald 2/21/07) Also Romney was for abortion & gay marriage for much longer then he has been against it, he only started being against it when he decided to run for president. Can never trust Romney the Flip Flopper.
By Truth4u
August 14, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this
Who’s Going to Show Romney How the Economy Works? Romney’s Economic Record As Governor Is Shaky At Best. Boston Globe business columnist Steve Bailey wrote, “Since January 2003, when Romney took office, through the end of last year Massachusetts ranked 46th in job growth, up just 1.1 percent. In the last year, the gap between Massachusetts and the nation has widened, with the state’s employment rising only four-tenths of 1 percent, or less than a third the national average of 1.3 percent. That put Massachusetts tied for 44th in the country. If all things in life are measured against expectations, Romney will have a particular problem explaining away the economy. He was going to be our CEO Governor, the state’s top salesman who could talk businessman-to-businessman and bring home those good-paying jobs. It was all bunk, of course. But he said it, and he will have to live with it. There are 40,000 fewer people in the workforce than when Romney took over.” [Boston Globe, column, 2/15/06]
By Truth4u
August 14, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
“He flip-flopped on abortion and same-sex marriage; ” I think it’s Dr. Phil who says the best way to predict ones Future is to look at his past. Romney flip-flopped , flip-flopped , flip-flopped , flip-flopped and he will again
By Sam1234
August 14, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
Obama is a sleeper Muslim. Bradley effect here we come.
By Cherokee
August 14, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
DD I salute you for your integrity.
By Crystal
August 14, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
Yes, evangelicals lets all run out and support those who embrace abortion. Yeah that will happen DD.
By Churchill
August 14, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this
Crystal, I have hopes that the Democrat party will eventually abort itself into extinction. Evangelicals will support McCain overwhelmingly. Peace.
By Bob Newhart
August 14, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Sam and ‘Swill to sleeper d*******, please leave the melting pot your old news
By Churchill
August 15, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
Why do you libs get mad when I tout the “benefits” of abortion. I thought that was like the libs’ favortie thing to do. Peace.
By John S.
August 15, 2008 12:57 AM | Link to this
It is amazing the Lies the Huckabee team spews about Mitt Romney. Fact: Mitt Romney was never for abortion. When he ran for office he effectively knew that it would be pointless to oppose abortion in liberal Mass. However, when he was in office, he helped limit abortions by pushing for parental consent and education. So by his being in office, he was able to help as much as he could to limit abortions considering the liberal democrats control Mass. Fact: Mitt Romney was never for Gay Marriage. He was one of the strongest opponents and found an arcane old law to keep out of state Gays from marrying. Fact: Mitt Romney did not push for abortion to be included in the Health Plan. It was forced upon him by the Courts, thanks to the liberal Dems.
Thanks to all you holier than thou Romney bashers, we now have McCain as the nominee. McCain is no conservative and it is doubtful if he will appoint judges that will overturn Roe vs. Wade. He recently said that a pro-choice VP prospect such as Tom Ridge was just a little disagreement.
By John S.
August 15, 2008 1:13 AM | Link to this
Truth4u, You must be one of those Evangelicals who spend all their time in church bashing Mormons. What are you so angry about? Is your life that disappointing? Why are you so angry with Mitt Romney who has been so active in supporting McCain so Obama will not get elected.
Obama will appoint liberal judges. Obama is for socialism and marxism. Look at the Church he attended. Look at who Obama associates with.
Truth4U, I suggest you get off your soapbox and look at the havoc that Obama will cause to this great country. Instead of focusing on slamming members of the Republican party, focus on making sure Obama doesn’t get elected.
By MoonMister
August 15, 2008 2:00 AM | Link to this
As a Cathoic, I can tell you that Romney was a better friend to the Catholic church than any other Governor of MA has ever been. He tried to help the church with not letting gays adopt, with taxes, and didn’t condemn the church for the sex scandal. He flew to the Vatican to see Bishop O’Malley made cardinal. Romney was also the only Governor of MA who was not himself Catholic.
By find a happy place
August 17, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
As a little boy I can tell you that Catholic priests have soft hands and cold hearts