Don't expect Rick Warren to help you out.....
Rick Warren's comments have led to some speculation that tonight's Obama/McCain megachurch appearance might be something big, but I really doubt it. He's saying that he's planning on asking the candidates the exact same questions, but, the appearance is keeping this on the air.
Then there's that pro-Obama evangelical group hitting it, too.
Also, the McCain camp chose bad taste over ignorance.
In the CBS version, there's a rather long section on the clash between the older politically powerful evangelicals (who are holding an anti-abortion thing on the Mall today,) and the newer groups like Rick Warren.
(Did Karl Rove fracture the evangelical/Republican axis?)
The minister said he would have compunctions against voting for someone who cheated on his wife.
"Absolutely I would because if you can't keep your faith to your most sacred vow 'til death do us part, how in the world can I trust you to lead my family? My government?"
Then there's that pro-Obama evangelical group hitting it, too.
Also, the McCain camp chose bad taste over ignorance.
McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said today that the Arizona senator knew that it (Miss Buffalo Chip) was a topless contest, but that he was joking and not actually volunteering his wife for it.
In the CBS version, there's a rather long section on the clash between the older politically powerful evangelicals (who are holding an anti-abortion thing on the Mall today,) and the newer groups like Rick Warren.
(Did Karl Rove fracture the evangelical/Republican axis?)
posted by mikevotes at
6:21 AM
4 Comments:
(Did Karl Rove fracture the evangelical/Republican axis?)
In a word, yes.
By moving relatively far to the right of the country, out of the national discourse, the evangelicals essentially created the requirement of adoption of a certain political viewpoint before you can adopt their specific religious viewpoint. If their goal is to convert as many people as possible, this is an obstacle. If their goal is to force their agenda on the nation by brute political fiat, then the outcome is still questionable. They haven't gained very much for all they've put in.
They've been used.
The evangelicals are slowly breaking along generational lines. At this point in time, the Old Guard remains strong enough to sway the election - but at what long-term price to their movement? And for what gain?
It matters little what McCain says to the evangelicals at this point, since he is deeply beholden to and essentially controlled by the Party.
If McCain wins, he now wins as the man who kept Obama out of the WH, not as the man the majority believed in. And facing a Democratic House and Senate, he will have no political capital of his own. He will be a puppet of the shadowy forces that control the GOP, just as the Decider is.
He is the monkey. The evangelicals need to talk to the organ-grinder, and base their decision on that.
By
Todd Dugdale , at 1:57 PM
Todd, I hesitated putting that question in there because it was so brief that it didn't capture the larger idea. I think you capture a whole lot of it.
As to your last point, the organ grinder has all the leverage. These evangelical preachers have been promoting GOP target points for decades and they really can't go back without losing many of the people they converted (enhanced to) that viewpoint. They've trapped themselves and have nowhere to go but further right third party.
By
mikevotes, at 2:16 PM
These evangelical preachers have been promoting GOP target points for decades and they really can't go back without losing many of the people they converted (enhanced to) that viewpoint. They've trapped themselves and have nowhere to go but further right third party.
Interesting point. I hadn't considered that.
The leaders are trapped in the same way that so many GOP senators and reps are trapped on Iraq. Still, the "Warren faction" (for lack of a better term to indicate the new breed of evangelical) offers an escape route for many in the flock. They can hold on to their faith and drop the political baggage.
The leadership, however, has already cast their lot. Good point.
By
Todd Dugdale , at 8:25 PM
Right, but even more so. You could claim a change of facts on Iraq, but after preaching anti-abortion is god's will, you really can't go back.
And, I played tennis with the COO of Lakewood, Joel Osteen's place today. They all still lean GOP, but they're more tolerant or inclusive. It's not a litmus test this election.
(Although I don't know if it's just this election or a more permanent shift.)
By
mikevotes, at 9:20 PM
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