INDIANAPOLIS, June 12, 2008
Southern Baptists Remain Wary Of McCain
Many Say They Are Waiting For Him To Inspire Them But Acknowledge They Will Vote For Him Anyway
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The country is electing a president again, the Baptists are meeting again and John McCain's campaign is nowhere to be seen at a gathering of 7,200 people, most of them staunch Republicans.
The absence has some Southern Baptists wondering whether the Arizona senator wants their vote. Others are more sympathetic to a campaign still gearing up, a candidate not known for talking about his faith, and reticence McCain might feel over his recent rejection of two endorsements by high-profile, evangelical pastors.
In interviews, Southern Baptist leaders and the rank-and-file said they were warily waiting for McCain to inspire them while acknowledging that they will vote for him anyway now that Sen. Barack Obama, far too liberal for most Southern Baptists, is the presumptive Democratic nominee.
"There's a lack of fire and passion for (McCain) right now, and for him to win, that fire has to be kindled," said the Rev. Jack Graham, a former president of the 16.2 million-member denomination based in Nashville, Tenn., and among its most politically connected leaders.
"It's going to be a close election," Graham said. "That's why John McCain, in his attempts to run to the center, needs to make sure he doesn't forget the people who will support him most aggressively on the issues that matter."
Despite that sentiment, a poll released this week showed that evangelicals do not appear to be running away from McCain. The survey, conducted in April and May by Calvin College's Henry Institute for the Study of Christianity and Politics, found that about 10 percent of evangelicals planned to sit out the election, about the same number as in 2004.
The survey, taken before the Democratic field was settled, found McCain winning 59 percent of the evangelical vote, compared to President Bush's 65 percent at the same juncture in 2004.
"On the one hand, (McCain) can say, 'Where are the core traditional voters going to go, other than sit at home?"' said Corwin Smidt, director of the Henry center. "If you have limited resources, focus on groups that are more swing and more crucial. On the other hand, to ignore your base is to do so at your peril."
Jeff Sadosky, a McCain campaign spokesman, said Wednesday the campaign is working to build up its organization and motivate conservative voters "so we're successful in November."
The Rev. Frank Page, the SBC's outgoing president, said many evangelicals might not be enthused by McCain but most will vote for him. McCain's pledge to nominate Supreme Court justices with a conservative judicial philosophy is a huge draw, Page said.
Page saw some positive in the lack of a McCain campaign presence in Indianapolis.
"I have admonished - lovingly but firmly - our convention not to get too close to any political party," Page said. "Parties change. I think we need to stay close to issues, and not hold allegiance to political parties."
Page has kept his door open to politicians regardless of party, and has met with Obama. The Illinois senator, forced to reject his former pastor for his inflammatory rhetoric, has launched an ambitious faith-based outreach program. He met in Chicago this week with an array of religious leaders, including conservatives like Bishop T.D. Jakes and Franklin Graham.
"What I hear from people," said Richard Land, president of the SBC's Ethics and Religious Liberties Commission, "is, 'John McCain was not my first choice, John McCain was not my second choice, John McCain was not my third choice. However, I would rather have a third-rate fireman than a first-class arsonist.' And they view Obama as a first-class arsonist."
Land and others believe the California Supreme Court's recent decision to legalize same-sex marriage will energize evangelical voters.
SBC "messengers," or delegates, approved a resolution Wednesday night condemning the ruling as a "terrible wrong," supporting a state amendment to overturn it and calling for a federal constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage. McCain opposes a federal marriage amendment, believing the question is for states.
SBC messengers approved a separate resolution urging political engagement while warning leaders of the dangers of endorsing candidates and "politicizing the church and the pulpit."
If Brad and Amy Brandon of Lebanon, Tenn., are any indication, McCain has work to do. Neither would vote for Obama - "never" both said - but McCain remains a puzzle.
The couple stopped at a booth in the meeting's enormous exhibition hall that urged Baptists to "test their voting IQ" and join an e-mail list that will seek to get out the "values" vote.
Brad Brandon, a 36-year-old pastor, said he was leaning McCain but not excited about it.
"He's wavered on abortion," Brandon said. "I think he's pro-choice."
McCain isn't. His voting record is against abortion rights.
"I can see why a lot of people, especially Republicans, don't want to vote," Amy Brandon said. "There's so much uncertainty now - on the economy, on immigration. You almost want a Reagan, someone strong. I don't think we have that in any of the candidates right now."
© MMVIII The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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See all 100 CommentsUnlike Islam, there is no where in the Hundu religion do they tell their people to go and slaugher all who will not submit as Islam does verse after verse.. Hundu is a peaceful religion and writes of peace..
And like any other religion this doesnt mean that they have not gone out and killed or caused wars even though it is against their belief..
per a Muslim Cleric
Posted by nanging3
nanging3, you are so right, and if he had given up his religion he is to be killed, that also is part of Islam.. here are just three verses.
Muslim 623 The Prophet said: "It is not permissible to take the life of a Muslim except in one of the three cases: the married adulterer, a life for a life (if the person is Muslim), and the deserter of Islam."
Bukhari 9:89:271 A man embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism Mu''adh said: "I will not sit down unless you kill him as it is the verdict of Allah and His Apostle"
Bukhari 4:52:260 Ali burnt some people (Zanadiqa, atheists 9:84:57) although the Prophet had said, "Dont punish anybody with Allah''s punishment (Fire)" if a Muslim discards his religion, kill him"
Did Obama have a choice how he was born--or choose his name?
Posted by liberalme .
Of course not liberalme, however that would depend on where he really stands..
If he wasnt for Islam then why did he back his Muslim cousin in Kenya and where did he get almost a million from to give to him for his cosins campaign.
As I said before..
I couldn''''t vote for a man who under "friends of Obama" gave almost a million dollars to the opposition campaign in Kenya, who just happened to be Obama''''s cousin, Raila Odinga, who is a socialist trained in East Germany, (where did Obama get the money from??).
Obama''''s cousin has been trying to bring Kenya down for years and the last president threw him in prison for trying to subvert this country!
December 27th elections brought cries from ODM (Odinga Camp) of rigged election.
Obama and Raila speak daily. And if Obama doesn''''t become president, could he use the same tactic as his cousin and cry rigged election and possibly also cause a race war in America.
And yes it is no crime to be called his true name Barak Hussein Muhammed Obama, but why doesnt he call himself by his full name now.
And sorry liberalme but to ALL Muslims his name will sound fantastic when he swears in as President.
Posted by hungrymama at 10:04 AM : Jun 13, 2008"
Freedom of speech not very high on your list?
Which brings to mind, why won''t Lindsey Graham consider running as McCain''s VP?
Senator Graham gets all gussied-up to go on the talk shows to defend Bush....err, McCain, but when asked, he says he has no interest in running as VP.
Why is that? Why won''t Senator Graham run?
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I agree with that Sentiment..
No politician should look, nor want or desire any Religious Endorsements. They`ll be held Accountable for All that comes out of those Idiots Mouth`s.
You cannot Control, what comes out of their Mouth`s..You cannot.
The New Politicians should Shun Any Religious Doctrines, I said, Shun Any Religious Afilliations.
THE IRAQ WAR IS MAKING THOSE LIKE YOU...
COWARDS AT AN ALARMING RATE, HIGH SUICIDES, SELF INFLICTED WOUNDS TO NOT DO ANOTHER TOUR OF IRAQ, ATTEMPTED SUICIDES.
THOSE USA SOLDIERS WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TELL YOUR LOW LIFE A$$, TO COME ENLIST AN PROVE YOUR TOUGH TALK...
YOUR COWARD A$$ WANT...
JUST TOUGH SIDELINE WATCHING FAUX-PATRIOTISM TALK
1 MILLION DEAD IRAQI BABIES, CHILDREN, WOMEN & MEN, OVER 4,080 US TROOPS KILLED...
AN THOUSANDS DIS-MEMBERED US SOLDIERS, OVER 4,055 ALLIED FORCES KILLED, MOST OF OUR ALLIED SOLDIERS PULLING OUT AND THE HIGH NUMBER OF U.S. SOLDIERS ATTEMPTING SUICIDES & OR COMMITING SUICIDES...
PLUS THE NUMBERS OF U.S. SOLDIERS, INVOLVED IN SELF INFLICTING WOUNDS, ARE ALSO AT AN ALL TIME HIGH !!
DO YOU HEAR ANY MAINSTREAM NEWS MEDIA OR ANY NEWS MEDIA, TV, RADIO OR INTERNET SHOWCASIING OR DISCUSSING THESE FACTS...
NOOOOO...YOU DON`T AND YOU WON`T !!!
BUSH IS SO D@MNED `EXPERIENCED` ALRIGHT, EXPERIENCED AT GETTING THE USA IN DEEPER SHHHIT
THE IRAQ WAR IS MAKING THOSE LIKE YOU...COWARDS AT AN ALARMING RATE, SUICIDES, SELF INFLICTED WOUNDS TO NOT DO ANOTHER TOUR OF IRAQ, ATTEMPTED SUICIDES.
THOSE USA SOLDIERS WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TELL YOUR LOW LIFE A$$ TO ENLIST AN PROVE YOUR TOUGH TALK...YOUR COWARD WANT...
JUST TOUGH SIDELINE WATCHING FAUX-PATRIOTISM TALK
1 MILLION DEAD IRAQI BABIES, CHILDREN, WOMEN & MEN, OVER 4,080 US TROOPS KILLED...
AN THOUSANDS DIS-MEMBERED US SOLDIERS, OVER 4,055 ALLIED FORCES KILLED, MOST OF OUR ALLIED SOLDIERS PULLING OUT AND THE HIGH NUMBER OF U.S. SOLDIERS ATTEMPTING SUICIDES & OR COMMITING SUICIDES...
PLUS THE NUMBERS OF U.S. SOLDIERS, INVOLVED IN SELF INFLICTING WOUNDS, ARE ALSO AT AN ALL TIME HIGH !!
DO YOU HEAR ANY MAINSTREAM NEWS MEDIA OR ANY NEWS MEDIA, TV, RADIO OR INTERNET SHOWCASIING OR DISCUSSING THESE FACTS...
NOOOOO...YOU DON`T AND YOU WON`T !!!
BUSH IS SO D@MNED `EXPERIENCED` ALRIGHT, EXPERIENCED AT GETTING THE USA IN DEEPER SHHHIT
Mccain Jindal...Doomed..
remember, mccain says Obama is Young & In-Experienced, yet he`ll be Running a 36 yr old as his VP Running Mate !!
Hahahahaha
He`ll once and for all, Prove he`s... SENILE
I bet you`ll have a Problem (R) Vice President Bobby Jindal, whose Real Name is Not Bobby, but an Adopted Name.
Piyush Bobby Jindal was also a Hindu until Graduating High School and he continues his Hindu traditions of being a Vegetarian.
IF McCain`s A$$ is Elected and Jindal is his Vice President, he`ll become President of the USA at (36)
B!tch About that ....
You Snaggle Tooth Jack A$$
Piyush Bobby Jindal LOOKS MORE like an ARAB, than Barack Obama ....
I can Hear it NOW, when McCain can''''''''t Finish his TERM as YOUR USA President...
I Piyush Jindal, do Solemly Swear, to uphold the constitution of the USA as its...President
Hahahahaha !!!!
PS: I hope McCain Re-Instates the DRAFT for YOU or YOUR Legal of AGE Children and then lets SEE How Gung Ho and Bloodm Thirsty You Tough Talking, TV Set watching, Faux-Patriots feel about WAR.
Otherthan that, Your Blowing Smoke Out Your A$$ !!
Israel has 150 Nuclear Bombs, They don`t Need You, My or Anyones Support.
Other Countries in that Region have the Right to EXIST.
You & Israel DROP a NUCLEAR BOMB on Iraq or Iran and be HELD as MASS MURDERERS, But NOT the USA !!
Fight Your Un-Holy War in the Name Of God...
Leave the USA Out of it !!
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I Pray that All USA Troopers are Flown Safely out of Harms way, that is My Prayer. All USA Allies are Pulling out an for Good Reasons too.
Israel & You can Drop a Bomb On Iran & Iraq and be Universally Seen as Mass Murderers of this New Millenium, but I Pray the USA will Not Participate. This Great Country need not be Villified Any longer by its Once Staunch Allies.
Is it Your Wish to Deny others the Right To Exist based on Bias, Predjudice & hate, based on Novels such as The Quran, Torah & The Bible ?
Otherthan that, Your Blowing Smoke Out Your A$$ !!
Israel has 150 Nuclear Bombs, They don`t Need You, My or Anyones Support. Other Countries in that Region have the Right to EXIST.
You & Israel DROP a NUCLEAR BOMB on Iraq or Iran and be HELD as MASS MURDERERS, But NOT the USA !!
Fight Your Un-Holy War in the Name Of God...
Leave the USA Out of it !! Posted by Omaar-101
---------------------------
It is your right to wish failure on the US Soldiers, Marines, Seamen and Airmen, but your pathetic life is actually just your fault. But then again, you will never realize that since Ignorance is Bliss.
I hope You an Yours are DRAFTED !!
Posted by Omaar-101
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The Arabs danced in the streets after 9/11.
I''m not against the draft, I''m for it. I was drafted in 1951 and stayed till 1978. It would be good for all American youth to serve time in the armed services. Make men out of them instead of someone like you. You are a coward. Also McCain has a son in Iraq and another in service.
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