Lael Arrington's Blog Tapestry's Blog From the South Carolina primary front: One vote for…
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I’ve wanted to like Romney because the conventional wisdom says he is the only Republican candidate who can beat Obama. And then I’ve pictured legions of Mormon missionaries all over the world pointing to the President of the United States for validation of their appeals to believe the Book of Mormon and join the church of Latter Day Saints.
I’ve wanted to like Newt Gingrich because he has a beautiful mind and gravitas and carefully thought out policies and commentary on world events. And besides, I have a really good snapshot of the two of us in the Columbia Marriott lobby.
And then I've thought of his history of affairs and divorces;I remember Republican leaders who shrugged and admitted, “Yes, he is a megalomaniac. But he’s OUR megalomaniac.” I believe in repentance and restoration…I want to give him the benefit of the doubt…hope that since his conversion or recommitment to Christ he is a kinder, gentler, humbler Newt…then in Iowa he declares he WILL BE the nominee…and I’ve been dithering…
Last Friday I followed a Facebook link on Kelly Kullberg's page to Rick Santorum’s Iowa Acceptance Speech:
"Game on. (wild applause) As all of you know, I do not speak from notes, but there’s a couple things I want to say that are a little — little more emotional, so I’m going to read them as I wrote them.
"C.S. Lewis said a friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you’ve forgotten the words. My best friend, my life mate, who sings that song when I forget the words, is my wife, Karen."
He had me at ”…C S Lewis…”
I love that Rick Santorum shows a commitment to the high value and dignity of every human life by sacrificially and joyfully embracing his miracle child, Isabella. With a genetic disorder that claims 99% of its victims before their first birthday, she should not have survived. In her diminished capacity she lights up the TV ads, obviously delighted by her Daddy’s love and attention.
Rick believes that the moral capital that our nation needs to flourish is first created in our families. He believes that without strong families we cannot have a strong and vibrant nation. He is passionate about giving families the liberties and protections they need to be self determining and effective.
I appreciate Rick's leadership of real change of our entrenched, disincentivizing welfare system. In 1996 he co-authored the Welfare Reform Act and was floor manager for its passage
I’m thankful for someone with real senatorial experience and oversight of our armed forces.
Not only do I like what Santorum stands for, but I really like the man. When I think of which candidate I'd enjoy hanging out and watching Downton Abby with, Santorum clearly appeals. As Charles Krauthammer has said, he is “knowledgeable, articulate, experienced, and of stable character” AND "the first challenger (to Governor Romney) to be plausibly presidential.” Anyone who can sell sweater vests as a signature item on his website shows he knows how to lighten up and not take himself too seriously.
I do not want to bring a theocracy to Washington. I do not want to legislate my faith. I want to be a good steward of my one vote and cast it for someone I really connect with. Someone whose priorities reflect my own.
I'm not so sure Rick Santorum cannot beat Obama. Who would have thought a conservative B rated actor could have been one of the strongest presidents of our time. What if the greater number of regular folks rose up and rejected the cw of the brand makers and breakers in our country and simply voted for a man they really liked....someone with values like theirs and the experience, intelligence and communication skills to be more winsome than Obama.
Besides, even if he does not prevail I would like to give him a platform to be a voice on issues for the next four years and the greater potential to succede next time.
So I vote for Senator Rick Santorum.
But if the nominee winds up being Romney then that's ok. Because, as Huckabee has said, a vote for Romney is like a vote for Denny's. Nobody gets excited about going to Denny's for dinner. Nobody takes their wife out for their anniversary to Denny's. But if you go to Denny's you get a realiably good meal.
And when it's late and everything else is closed, well ok then, let's all go to Denny's.
MLK on conventional wisdom
On Facebook my friend Thom responded to this blog saying, "The conventional wisdom is wrong!"
Thought of Thom's response when I read Seth Godin's blog today. He quoted MLK as follows:
“On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, "Is it safe?" Expediency asks the question, "Is it politic?" And Vanity comes along and asks the question, "Is it popular?" But Conscience asks the question "Is it right?" And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.”
. . .
“The saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority.”
I thought it was about the best for all people?
I realy enjoyed the tone of your post, it had the fagrance of christian love. In many areas of the political debate we not hearing love, nor patriotism. We are rehashing professonal politicians saying the things that professional "stratagist" are telling them that the people want to hear. I am a Christian, with conservative values and I am a AMERICAN of african ancestry.I do not see why people seem to oppose the President just for who he is. The conversation is constantly beat Obama at all costs, even if it involves electing a Roman Catholic, or a Morman. This not a hate rant, but as a Christian we have a moral obligation to God and each other to stand for Christ. It is not fanaticism to say that mormanism is not Christianity nor is roman catholism and we must stand up and stand for the Word of God. If we do that we can hold all public servants including the President accountiable to the people who pay their salaries.
Through a glass darkly
As we approach the upcoming elections I think it is important for each of us to remember that "we see through a glass darkly." As you mention in your post, each person you list has strengths and weaknesses, and as we form our personal opinions I need to remember that others may see more weakness in those candidates I might prefer. I think we have an opportunity in this election cycle to pray much for the process all the while thankful that we live in a country that allows us to be part of the process. We must pray for God's wisdom and direction recognizing that other fellow believers may hold significantly different perspectives. As we strive to maintain unity in our fellowships, this election cycle will keep us dependent upon God's grace.
Well said, Gwen
I agree. It's interesting that Ron paul, Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum are currently all running close to 15% here in SC because they are all appealing to large conservative constituencies here. Lots of godly people disagreeing...
The Saving of Our World...
The unstated assumption here seems to be that all Christ-followers are Republicans. Perhaps I mis-read the post, but assuming others read it the way I did, I think there's room for some clarification.
The elephant in the room: there are many godly Obama supporters. That's the tough part for many political conservatives to understand. And it's the reason we have to tread very carefully here. Those who are bewildered that others could think that way should ask their friends WHY. And listen. Really listen. Otherwise politics will tear apart the body of Christ--as we assign ill motives and question people's salvation when they vote differently from how we might vote and view politics from a completely different place.
One of my believing friends, one who was once effective in church leadership, is so filled w/ hatred for our current president that he can talk about little else. He has alienated his believing and unbelieving friends over it and a number of his children. He is also mailing lots of money he doesn't have to support conservative causes because he believes what he receives in the mail daily--right-wing Republican letters begging for money needed to save the world from pending doom. He used to speak of Jesus as the answer; now he speaks of a return to power of the Republicans. So it was with this burden on my heart that I read the following quote:
“The saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority.”
Isn't the uniquely Christian perspective on politics that the saving of our world from pending doom won't happen? Jesus Christ will come, and he will bring judgment with him. The world will be saved only one way, and it won't be by means of human government.
If we're honest, we have to admit that our culture was never wonderful. We shouldn't talk of "returning" it to its "previously Christian state." (I'm not saying today's post said this, BTW.) We've had pride, arrogance, racial hatred, sexism, war, ageism....since the beginning. The 1960's were fantastic for some, but not for those who followed the man whose birthday we celebrate today. Or single moms trying to hold jobs. Or secretaries who loathed getting pinched on the back end. Or peacemakers who opposed war in Asia. Some things have gotten worse, some better. But our task is not to save the world on any sort of political/governmental level.
Our task is to do what we can to tell the dead how they can find life before it's too late. And it's also to do justice and love mercy and walk humbly with our God. Sometimes doing justice will lead people to get involved in politics. (According to our president, that's what motivated him.) But we're misguided if we think we'll save anything. Delay through the power of the Spirit, perhaps. Save? Never.
Twitter: sandraglahn
Clarification
David Brook's NYT column today is entitled "South Carolina Diarist." Like Brooks, I'm not trying to be universally prescriptive here, just recording my own journey through the primary process. After a lifetime in Texas it's been fun to be a part of a process where the Republican primary really counts. (If fun includes watching 1427 political ads in the past week.)
So, no, I'm not presuming that all Christians vote Republican or that Jesus wants Obama to be defeated. As a Republican living in SC I've simply tried to record my plotting points to a decision.
As for the MLK quote, let me expand it here in its 1967 historical context:
“This hour in history needs a dedicated circle of transformed nonconformists. Our planet teeters on the brink of annihilation; dangerous passions of pride, hatred, and selfishness are enthroned in our lives; and men do reverence before false gods of nationalism and materialism. The saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority.”
When I read the quote I assumed MLK was referencing the historical turmoil of the late 60's, and his reference to "The saving of our world from pending doom" referenced the redemptive work of the Civil Rights Movement in the face of danger and chaos that soon took his own life.
I was not quoting it to make any inference that any kind of human redemptive endeavor will ultimately save the whole world and might have helpfully offered that caveat (good catch, Sandi). We are totally agreed that only Jesus will accomplish that. (Even so, Lord Jesus, come quickly)
My focus was not on the first half of MLK's sentence at all, but the second half...where King, speaking to the American psychological Association, eloquently warns against falling in line with conventional wisdom by famously championing this "creative maladaption of a nonconforming minority."
A good word here in SC, I think, where Republicans are feeling the heat to fall in line...
an elephant speaks
I'm not "coming out of the closet" literally but as one who could speak to "godly supporters" of Obama...it does continually surprise me that some paint the picture that we are Christian and therefore Republicans or unbelievers and therefore Democrats.
Certainly as a Christ follower some platform decisions have made me uncomfortable and sad...in both parties...
I'm more sad that some have exclusively aligned the Christian faith with a nation or a political party or an economic class ....or whatever makes a "litmus test" for the faith...
This blog has certainly achieved the intended purpose....to raise up a conversation on matters that we are all discussing.....and to speak out our differences with respect for each other....wouldn't that be a welcome change on the national level?
Could not agree more on false dichotomy
Agreed, Dianne...it is inappropriate to set up a false dichotomy: Christians are Republicans and Outsiders are Democrats. In fact, it reinforces that broader conception that Christians are too deeply aligned with right wing Republican politics. The gospel is so much bigger than Republican or Democrat. I hope to be a good steward of my one vote. But more importantly the *way* I and others voice our opinions should always show love and respect to others.
All The Above!
I am thankful for each posting on the subject of the upcoming election; and, as a believer in small government I have voted primarily Republican over the years. I have struggled with the increasing partisanship of both parties and the negligence of responsibility on both sides. Rancor does not acheive God's purposes regardless of party affiliation or lack thereof and this is what I find most troubling in light of how we as a nation, blessed beyond reason, can witness to a world that grows smaller day by day. Lael, I concur with the thoughts you have shared on each of the candidates and just this day, I was immediately struck by the strength of character Santorum has exhibited throughout.
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