Pastor problems: Obama and McCain
May 25th 2008 23:52
Pastor problems are in the news alot recently. The vocal and oft-quoted on FOX Reverend Jeremiah Wright was seen by some as a potential candidacy killer for Barack Obama, and most likely did cost him more than a few votes in West Virginia and Kentucky. Wright's infamous "God Damn America" comment got him airplay for weeks, and will still be played over in the general election, even though Obama never made similar comments or sought out the endorsement of Reverend Wright and completely disavowed them.
In somewhat of a contradiction, Republican candidate John McCain's pastor problems have been less of an issue. Well, at least until more statements by them have come out, like Hagee saying Hitler was sent by God to drive Jews to Israel and Parsley saying part of the reason America was created was that it could destroy Islam. Both comments, by the way, have received extensive coverage in Middle East press. Way to sooth the concerns about a McCain presidency, eh? But still, McCain hasn't faced nearly the amount of criticism Obama has, even though McCain had actively sought out the endorsements of both Hagee and Parsley.
Both candidates were forced to recoil from their pastor concerns. Barack Obama, in very strong language, disavowed the pronouncements of Reverend Wright. Just in the past few days John McCain has backed away from the Hagee and Parsley endorsements. Both Obama and McCain have learned a lesson. Go into a swamp and you're likely to get mud on your face. Both have courted religious voters, albeit from different angles. And both got burned. But what are the real problems?
Wright's comments, although offensive, aren't as dangerous as Hagee's and Parsley's. For one, Wright isn't calling on the American government to essentially start World War III so they can have their long sought-after Rapture. And things don't happen in a vacuum. Few would give credence to Wright's proclamation that AIDS is a government plot, but his remarks about 9/11 ring much more true than Hagee's do. Wright says America is partly to blame. Osama Bin Ladin himself called the attacks a result of U.S. presence in the Middle East. Hagee, on the other hand, like Falwell, wants to blame gays or the ACLU. Hagee also blamed Hurricane Katrina on the gay pride parade New Orleans was about to have. If that's the case, God needs better aim. The gay area of New Orleans came through the storm relatively unscathed. And what Rod Parsley has said is just as bad. His remarks about destroying Islam landed him all over the Middle East press, who referred to him as John McCain's spiritual adviser.
To me, a very troubling part of the pastor problems is that candidate need a pastor at all. In order to have a chance to get elected in America anymore candidates must bow at the altar of the religious. Democrats are realizing what Republicans have known for a long time. The road to the White House goes through a church or two. An atheist or secularist would have no chance at all. This is a country which used to uphold a separation of Church and State.
It's most dangerous on the Republican side, as they appeal to the far right fundamentalist brands. The groups who want to see the Rapture and are getting e damn tired of waiting. They have been told it's just around the corner since the 70's, and are beginning to think they might have to get things started themselves. They think the first part of their Armageddon scenario involves Iran. McCain might not believe the mysticism, but we know how much he wants to "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb bomb Iran."
We need to move rapidly away from inflammatory and insane rhetoric and adopt a more calm and adept international approach. Barack Obama knows this. While he is actively talking about his Christian faith, he is not courting endorsements or throwing around war talk. My hope is that in my lifetime America will have a non-religious president. It's not likely without some dramatic change, though.
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Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
And the abortionists too! You forgot the abortionists.
Sadly, whilst those of us who are you know, sane, may recoil in horror at Parsley's statements and how they must sound to the ears of those in the Middle East, there are many more who will gloat at how America is sticking it to those nasty Arabs. Why would America want to reassure them that it wants to find a diplomatic solution when it can threaten them with God's vengeance?
Ah, my head hurts again.
Comment by Natalie 2
My Life My Muse
Beta Girl Blog
Of course, he claims that it is different because he was not a member of their congregations, while Obama attended Wright's church. However, he sought out the endorsement of both Pastors, and I am certain he is less than shocked by the rhetoric coming out of their mouths. More likely he merely regrets that it became an issue.
I think it is conceivable that we may have never heard a peep about the hate being spewed by Hagee and Parsley if it weren't for the Wright situation. I certainly don't think Hannity and the Fox folks would have pursued it.
Great post, Jeff.
Comment by Jeff Musall