Friday, February 29, 2008
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Obama is the New Huckabee?
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Posted by:
Matt Lewis at
8:13 AM
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Never mind the Muslim middle name uproar -- in Texas, Barack Obama is now positioning himself as the Christian candidate ... Dwayne Horner alerts us to this flier -- which has been distributed by Obama's campaign in Texas.
"My faith teaches me that I can sit in church and pray all I want, but I won't be fulfilling God's will unless I go out and do the Lord's Work ..."
(Paid for by Obama for America).
This sort of line will play very well with church-going folks, regardless of political ideology (though I wonder what the liberal secular-humanists think of it. Probably they hope it's just a campaign ploy). And I think it's very possible that this will not only work in Texas, but that Obama might actually be able to wedge some of the purpose-driven-life-type Evangelical voters away from McCain, if he continues in this manner.
It works especially well for Obama, because he is very comfortable using this style of religious language and imagery that appeals both to liberals and Evangelical Christians.
Here's an example from his speech in Selma that I think highlights his ability to use ideas that an 80-year old conservative might be familiar with, to explain the civil rights struggle:
So I just want to talk a little about Moses and Aaron and Joshua, because we are in the presence today of a lot of Moseses. We're in the presence today of giants whose shoulders we stand on, people who battled, not just on behalf of African Americans but on behalf of all of America; that battled for America's soul, that shed blood , that endured taunts and formant and in some cases gave -- torment and in some cases gave the full measure of their devotion. By using Moses and Joshua as a metaphor for civil rights, Obama appeals not only to African-Americans (who vote disproportionately Democratic), but also to Evangelical Christians (who tend to vote Republican, and who may also feel the need to to expiate for past injustices). Usually candidates who want to appeal to diverse audiences will target different messages to different constituencies. This, of course, can lead to contradictions and other messy problems. But Obama has shrewdly found a way to appeal to both audiences -- with the same speech!
While much has been made of his having a Muslim background (some of which was legitimate, and some of which was probably put out by the Hillary campaign), Obama's conversion to Christianity apparently came when he worked as an organizer in the South Side of Chicago:
Obama, his mother a nonbeliever and his father absent, grew up without religion. But as he worked with South Side ministers and devout volunteers, he became interested. Eventually, he began attending Trinity United Church of Christ, a church — not affiliated with his project — whose pastors honored African history and preached the importance of giving back to the community. In other news, the IRS is currently investigating Obama's church over a speech he gave at their national convention. While this could hurt certainly Obama, I can also envision a scenario where his standing up to the IRS -- and essentially arguing that a political leader has every right to speak at a church -- might endear him to some conservatives who view the "separation of church and state" as an assault on religion.
But the real question, for me, at least, is whether or not Obama is enjoying a double-standard here. Clearly, his campaign is seeking to associate him as the Christian candidate. As you'll recall, Mike Huckabee was criticized for wearing his religion on his sleeve. My question is whether or not Obama will have to answer similar questions due to this overtly religious flier ...
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With some candidates their degree of religious belief is based primarily upon the state where they are campaigning. True philosophical warriors. |
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I guess he doesn't want to mention the kind of church he actually belongs to. A church who's pastor teaches hate and intolernce to Jews and whites.
This is Obama's hidden beliefs. Or else he would reject his pastor and walk away from that hateful institution.
Reverse this and make it a white republican. He goes to church were the pastor loves the clan and also preaches blacks and jews are inferior.
The republican states he does not share those beliefs but he is also going to continue to attend his church.
The liberals and the press would have a field day destroying the man. |
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"Fake Christians". It amazes me how many can talk about how much they hate one another, oh that is liberal, oh that is conservative and allow our country to go completely down the toilet.
Spend more time reading the word people. You have totally missed the point of being a Christian.
What in the world are the children learning from all of this mess. This is why the Rap Artists have their undivided attention, by the millions I might add.
They reject your way of thinking. |
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Obama needs to clarify His position vs that of his pastor. Seems his pastor has some problems giving back to a community that does not fit HIS ideals and his ideals only. If that is the case, Obama is the issue.
We have changed churches when a pastor comes in (or changes) with their own doctrinal ideals that run counter to basic Biblical doctrine. Sure they are the pastor of the church but if they go against Bibilical teachings, it is time to distance oneself from them.
Until Obama explains why he stays in a church that seems to be selective in which community should be helped, he will continue to have issues to explain. |
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We will see how well these "Christians" ads run for Obama when it becomes common knowledge that he voted against protection for babies that survived abortions. McCain will receive about 85%-90% of the Evangelical vote. |
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Same flier replace BO with Romney. Media reax? Nah.
Speaking of which, BO's middle name is off limits, but how many times did the media provide the unsolicited information of Romney's (MORMON) religion repleat with every non-Mormon nut who wished to slander the religion from the position of total ignorance?
As for McCain, never. We are "agents of intolerance" and McCain is an old dog who just won't hunt.
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Are not going to fall for his rhetoric in any signficant number. As Rashum pointed out, Obama's position on life issues and other "values issues" will become much more clear when he is contrasted with McCain and differences matter. Obama v Clinton is about style more than substance, that will change when the general campaign starts. |
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Obama criticized Republicans for "wearing their religion on their sleeves" and he's been doing it, ever since, because he thinks it will get *him* votes. Not too bright, either, if he thinks nobody is paying attention out here. We are. fyi |
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This opens the door for questions into his church and his former pastor and the Farrakhan connection. Thank you Obama. |
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Unfortunately, Obama thinks the Lord's work entails confiscating more of everyone's paycheck, and refusing to stand up to evil.
But I don't think we can call him 'the new Huckabee' until he disguises a crucifix as a bookshelf !
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Can't think of any other reason for this ad. Unless, of course, he's trying to steal the "evangelical vote" from Huck. There was a time when evangelicals were the bedrock conservatives of the GOP. But after they supported Huck and his populist campaign over more qualified conservatives, it leaves one to wonder if they have completely left the reservation. |
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