The Republican "debate" tonight wasn't a debate - it was 10 guys on Hardball answering Chris Matthews' questions. And if anything jumped out it was that President Bush has no philosophical coattails. There will never be any "Bush conservatives" and that is too bad. He had the chance - he was on the road - to fundamentally redefining the Republican party. Go back to his first campaign speech in 1999 and read again his promises - promises to reject those Republicans who said government has no role in caring for those in need and promises to reject the liberal notion that dollars spent are directly related to compassion. Instead, eight years later the Republican party is looking for a philosophy - looking for its reason to exist. Tonight's debate seemed to highlight these things - Republicans believe:
- in cutting taxes;
- in saying they believe in God;
- in being tough on foreign policy.
Health care? Poverty? Hunger? Nah.
The "winner"? - John McCain - he was energetic, he seemed like that "straight talk" guy again, he was blunt.
The "loser"? - Rudy Giuliani - his abortion answer was... well... bizarre. He's for it, he's against, he isn't sure...and he is the one who is tough and certain? Uhhh, maybe not.
The outsiders who might be on the inside after all - Sam Brownback and Mike Huckabee...stay tuned
The post-Bush world
Thursday May 3, 2007
Add to Del.icio.us
Add to Technorati
Add to Digg
Add to Newsvine
Add to Facebook
Add to StumbleUpon
Advertisement
Advertisement
About J-Walking
This blog is no longer updated and is closed for comments. We welcome your comments about Christianity in our Christianity forums.
Read David Kuo's bioSearch This Blog
I missed the debate, but I wouldn't listen for one to figure out what people value. The debate tells you what the candidates think of Republican voters, not what voters should think of the candidates. I have some questions about Brownback, but his history of supporting government compassion for the poor and the sick is hard to surpass.
Donny, I might kick myself for this later, but I just read HR 1592 and it's a funding bill providing grants for investigation when and only when someone "willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of any person" Under what circumstances is shooting, burning or blowing people up Christian to the extent that being investigated for doing so makes it impossible to follow the Lord? For the record, I do have issues with "hate crime" legislation, but isn't it a little dramatic to say Christianity was outlawed by this bill? A little?
I take issue with Brownback on many things. However, I can say he is the only guy in that particular litter who consistently has spoken from intellect and spirit with integrity. I think the others will change their minds or do anything necessary to win. I think he will not. I would not vote for him under most circumstances, but I certainly respect him completely. I disagree with his view of what it is government should do. But, he is the real thing. Actually, I think Edwards is also the real thing - not as articulate about faith as Brownback, but his passion is genuine. The rest of the guys I heard last night are cynics. Cynics are people without hope in others. May we all escape that particular way of being in the world. Donnie, please - all the Democrats I know consider themselves Christian - what weird website do you find such nonsense?
I agree, Thinker. I don't know if I'd vote for Brownback due to differences in political philosophy but I'm convinced he's a good man and intellectually honest. Literally, cynics are dogs. woof.
"Post-Bush world"??? What? Did Bush die? Or is that just wishful thinking?
Post a Comment
By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.