The last couple of months have been a shot in the arm for the political Christian right wing since Mike Huckabee has been gaining popularity in the polls during the Republican Iowa Caucus. I have noticed that many of my fellow bloggers have really been on the Huckabee banwagon and they even have the little digital bumpersticker on their blogs. I for one, have not jumped on the "Go Huckabee" banwagon yet. Doesn't mean I won't later, but right now, I'm still skeptical about him. Here's some of my thoughts for whatever they're worth:1. Southern Baptist presidents have been nothing but a disaster for our country so far. "born again" Carter and Bible toting Clinton?
2. His record on raising taxes in Arkansas worries me. I don't want another Republican who spends like a Democrat as president again.
3. He was a former pastor. This tells me one of two things, either he wasn't really called to be a pastor in the first place (and I would like to see or read a statement from him saying that), or he was called by God and forsook his calling to do something more self serving. Politics is all about self promotion and self interest. Pastors who are really politicians worry me.
4. We're choosing a president not a pastor. I think that Christians get too enamored with evangelical politicians who make us all kinds of values-based promises and then dump us when they get into office. We want a man who is going to run the country according to the constitution not according to a party playbook or his religion. The truth is, he isn't going to outlaw abortion. I know that is the one issue that Christians base their vote on, but so far not a single conservative has done anything to overturn Roe V. Wade. Even with as much popularity as Reagan had, he couldn't do anything about it. The Republican politicians actually need abortion to continue so the hatred for it fuels their campaigns with pro-life voters who are gullible enough to think that they are going to really do something about it. It's almost like how Jesse Jackson needs racism to stay alive and well so he can still have something to fight against and keep his face on TV everytime a hate crime occurs.
5. Rush Limbaugh doesn't trust him. When Rush even smells a hint of liberalism, he is reluctant.
6. He plays in a rock band. Why do presidental candidates try to act like 21 year olds? Clinton got away with it in '92 when he played his sax with the Stones, but Clinton could get away with anything. Nothing looks more hypocritical and pathetic to unbelievers than to see a guy who is supposed to be a holy man act like one of them. Don't think so? Just read this article.
7. Believers somehow think that having a right-wing Christian president is going to somehow help the gospel spread and Christianize our country. If you think so, you're kidding yourself. Well, just look at what happened to the church in the fourth century when they got their "Christian" emperor.....It was the beginning of the dark ages! To tell you the truth, Hillary in the White House would probably do more good for our lukewarm Christian church than Huckabee in the White House. It would be a big wake up call and it might even bring some persecution,which the American church is in desperate need of.
Unfortunately, the Christian right has left Fred Thompson in the dust just because he doesn't go to church anywhere. May I remind you that it was Abe Lincoln who also didn't go to church or even claim that he belonged to any religion and was one of the ugliest men to ever be president, but he was a man of principle and strength.
Ron Paul has some revolutionary ideas too.....like following the Constitution! But in our media controlled society, people want a president that looks good, talks smooth, and makes them laugh. What's really important is secondary. I guess that's kind of how Christians choose a pastor too, come to think of it.
5 Pontifications:
Your thoughts on Huckabee are right on. Especially the part about him being a "former pastor". I am from Arkansas and we were truly excited and expected a lot of change when he became Governor but, quickly realized that things were not going to be like he said. He was to interested in keeping peace with the Democrats instead of making the necessary changes to better our state. He is just as slick as one of our other former Governor that went on to be President
William,
You make many valid points, and others would be wise to listen. Though I don't think it would be fair to think of Huck as a closet liberal, he certainly seems very much on the "big government" side.
I would strongly disagree with your #3 above (regarding his calling as pastor). You only seem to give two possibilities, both of which are negative. This assumes (1) that the pastorate, by definition, is a life-long calling; and (2) Politics is a "step-down" on the spiritual scale of things.
Is it not possible that God called him to lead that congregation for a season, and then called him to lead the people of Arkansas?
Not all pastors are the same. Some are gifted teachers, others gifted administrators, still others gifted counselors. His gifts are life-long, not necessarily his role.
I, personally, see no evidence in scripture that the role of pastor is life-long (which is why I frown on the concept of ordination, which carries a "life-long" connotation to it).
Just my little humble (maybe) opinion on the matter.....:o)
You make good points here, William.
Will,
I respect your opinion. It's so easy to just jump on a bandwagon. Pausing before supporting any candidate is always recommended.
I've backed Huckabee from early on, as you know. And I haven't done so because he is a Bible-toting SBC preacher. I have like his principles and positions and I truly think he is electable and can move America forward.
So let me try to answer your concerns. But obviously, these are just my opinions and you can take them or not!
1) This is moot. With so many different varieties of Southern Baptists (let alone Baptists in any of their multiple varieities), and with the millions who find room under the SBC tent, the fact that someone is Southern Baptist in no way demands they will follow in Carter's or Clinton's footsteps.
2) The whole story in Arkansas is not always given in the political attack pieces coming out a dime a dozen from the elite conservative political organizations. Some of the tax increases were court mandated. Some went for desparately needed improved roads (with 80% voter approval on this tax). As a governor in a highly Democratic state, he had to make some compromises to get things done, like balance the budget (which the federal government conveniently doesn't do). In all, he cut taxes almost 100 times -- the most in the state's entire history. And the overall tax burden increased very slightly over the course of 10 years (during which time inflation and etc, increased as well). Many of the groups attacking his tax record the most are those most tied to a specific other candidate, by the way. And that candidate, Romney, has a history of numerous state fee increases, which are disguised taxes, and his overall state tax burden rose also in his tenure, at a comparable level with Huckabee's. But get this, Huckabee has signed a pledge to not raise federal taxes. Federal taxes vs. state taxes are a little different, as most would allow.
3) I agree with Josh Gelatt here. The Bible doesn't claim the pastorate is necessarily more holy of a position than being a bank clerk. Sure there is special repsonsibility and qualifications invovled, but we are to live out our faith in all spheres of life. Politics can be about self promotion and self interest, but it shouldn't have to be. Don't we need government? Shouldn't someone stand up and do what's right and get things accomplished? Shouldn't someone appoint pro life judges and stand against corruption in high circles and aim to do all we can to help alleviate the problems which contribute to poverty and poor health care? Huckabee has a remarkable record of accomplishing things in a Democratic state, and seeing his Biblical duty to love others and to do what is right as a governor.
4) I amen your first sentence. Huckabee repeatedly has tried to avoid the image that he is running for pastor in chief. In truth, his support is widespread and varied (he is first in Delaware and near first in Michigan, for instance), and not exclusively from religious people. He actually led the cause for an ammendment protecting marriage in his state and has a bonafide pro-life record. With Reagan, you must remember he was converted to the prolife cause. In his day it was highly unpopular. Today over 50% of people are prolife and the political environment is actually moving closer to the day when Roe v. Wade could actually be repealed. Huckabee may just be using Evangelicals, but he is a bona fide one himself, having been active in the SBC convention in the past.
5) Me thinks you trust Rush too much. Rush doesn't like him, but others do. Are we going to pit political gurus? Newt Gingrich likes him. Many pundits don't like him because they suspect he will easily lose in the general election. But there is an abundance of polling data pointing in a different direction. He has gained endorsements from union groups. Independents and even some democrats are attracted to his campaign.
6) Okay this one gets a little complicated. I understand where you are coming from, but remember that there is a large group within evangelicalism that doesn't reject Rock N' Roll outright. Some are too loose and wrong in this regard, in my opinion. Others judge songs and groups on their own merits, accepting some and rejecting others. Just like an artist who paints a nude isn't necessarily therefore totally unworthy of us respecting or admiring his other works which may be perfectly fine and good. I can't vouch for which songs Huckabee plays. But his style seems older and may include songs that are for the most part fairly neutral morally (judging on lyrics alone, primarily). From what I've read of Huckabee, this isn't some new thing done to gain points politically. He's always been into this kind of music and has played bass for a long time. Sure, however, it does go to show he is a normal guy and not an ultra religious wierdo, which would make one less electable. I do warrant that. I just don't see how this point by itself is so big and important to rule him out.
7) Here again I agree with you. Video clips like this one irritate me. I don't believe we should spiritualize politics to the degree Bush and others have. America isn't the chosen people or promised land or anything. America is a secular nation, and we Christians are citizens of Heaven first and foremost. That being said, I don't believe Huckabee is going to necessarily save our nation and bring revival. Huckabee certainly isn't promoting this as his mission in running for office. There are no Pat Robertson sentiments. Rather Huckabee is living for Christ in the field of politics and government. He wants to promote justice and concern for the poor, he wants to do what is right and love all peoples in and through public office. This includes standing up for the unborn. But this isn't some magical cureall for American society. Sure from a moral and secular standpoint, even, pro-life positions and defense of marriage make sense. And his Christian worldview influences him in those regards. But he has a record of accomplishing things and improving society in a highly Democratic state. He wasn't establishing a New Israel in Arkansas. He won't from DC either. Now some Christians, in the James Dobson vein, for instance, can't help but be thinking in those terms. But notice Huckabee isn't endorsed by that sector of the religious right, necessarily. Like Josh Gelatt points out above, Christians have a responsibility to live for Christ in all spheres of life. This advances Christ's kingdom, but not through legislation, necessarily. I agree Clinton could bring revival and a wake up call to the church. But she is a water boy (or girl) compared to Nero and the like. While we live in America, we are obligated to live in society in such a way as to be a blessing. We ought to want our government to improve. That means getting the best president we can.
Thompson is a good candidate, but he has proven slow and indecisive in running his campaign. He also has been quite negative in attacking other candidates too, and seems very reluctant to actually be campaigning at full steam. He has lost support because of his own foibles. Sure his odd marriage situation doesn't help, especially when that is a beef with Guliani among religious conservatives. Personally his being a non-church guy and Romney being a Mormon guy have nothing to do with my supporting Huckabee. I don't think we are voting in a pastor in chief.
Now as to a candidate who looks good, talks smooth and makes people laugh, that could apply to Romney as well as Huckabee. But as my latest post on Romney shows, he comes across as a total panderer. He says what you want him to, and changes his message based on the crowd. His flip flops are numerous, complicated, and look very bad for him. Huckabee on the other hand comes across as authentic. Sure he has faults and problems. But he also has a positive vision for our nation, and he is no cookie cutter Republican. He isn't bowing to corporate interests, which by the way are often wrong. Such an emphasis on greed goes beyond a Scripturally acceptable stress on personal responsibility and private property. CEOs making 100s of millions while their employees scrape by is plain injustice. At least in our democratic society.
Anyways I respectfully disagree. You asked for my thoughts, so I've shared them! Even if you don't agree, I respect your point of view, brother. Have a blessed Christmas.
Bob
Thanks Bob,
You are more informed than me, I'll say. I'm not against the guy, i just have reservations...he hasn't earned my trust yet.
Take care,
Will
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