Posted on 08/11/2008 9:18:52 AM PDT by MeanWestTexan
A key evangelical leader with influence on American politics emphasized this past week the importance of Republican John McCain’s vice presidential pick on the decision of values voters this fall.
Presumptive presidential candidate McCain’s running mate selection is the “most important” decision of the campaign, said Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission to CBS News.
If McCain picks a pro-choice running mate, Land said, it will only confirm the mistrust of evangelicals toward the candidate that some have criticized as being too liberal.
“[H]e has no room for error, no margin for doubt,” noted the head of the public policy arm of the nation’s largest Protestant denomination.
Southern Baptists and many evangelicals, Land said, are looking at the VP’s position on the sanctity of human life, the traditional family, and religious freedom the most.
Some vice presidential candidates that religious conservatives would support include Gov. Palin of Alaska, who said she never personally considered an abortion even though her child had Downs Syndrome, and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who during his run this election was highly popular among evangelicals.
Regarding Mitt Romney, Land acknowledged that some evangelicals would have a problem with his Mormon faith. But as for himself, Land said although he does not consider Mormonism a Christian faith, he does not believe that disqualifies someone from being president or vice president.
Another name Land offered was Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), who is the fourth highest person in the House leadership. Cantor is a practicing Jew who has a 100 percent pro-life voting record.
According to a poll conducted by the SBC’s research arm in June, 80 percent of Southern Baptist pastors said they plan to vote for McCain. Only one percent said they plan to vote for Obama, and the rest were undecided.
Land had unfavorable things to say about Obama, who he sees as extreme in his support for abortion.
In particular, the evangelical leader found it troubling that the Illinois senator has opposed a legislation that would require a doctor who performs an abortion on a late term fetus to save the baby’s life if it is born alive.
“And Senator Obama opposed that bill,” Land said. “I don’t know how you can get more pro-abortion than that. And I can’t imagine even John Kerry doing that. And, of course, in addition to which, he voted against the partial-birth abortion ban.”
Land emphasized that he does not make political endorsement and would not say who he would support. However, he said he would vote for candidates that reflect his values and leave people to “connect their own dots.”
Cantor Ping.
For the umpteenth time. With most conservatives its not Romney's religion that plays a major factor in resisting his choice as VP. Its Romney's life long record in support of liberal issues and liberal causes which breeds opposition and resentment. Just because you start spewing conservative rhetoric at age 60, doesn't qualify you as a conservative. And one GOP primary campaign doesn't magically give you rightwinger credentials equal to Ronald Reagan.
Seriously? Cantor would be more in line with what many Christians believe (in the secular world) than many so-called Christians.
You post does raise a red flag about Cantor. How many conservatives will not vote for McCain if McCain picks a Jewish VP?
I don't know how old you are, Coldwater, but if you were born before 1958 your impeccable standards probably had you casting your vote fo Jimmah Carter ...
I love Dr. Land, but disagree on Cantor. For me the number one and two MEN must believe in the Messiah.
_______
At least you are up front and honest that you will use a religious and gender based litmus test for your vote. Most who prejudge abilities based on one’s religion or gender seem to try to hide that bigotry. You embrace it.
In all honesty, I find your honesty refreshing. I don’t agree with you, but you certainly are not hiding from and trying to conceal your beliefs.
Mike Rounds of SD is the obvious choice here for McCain. He’s got executive experience, he’s young and he’s conservative. And he has zero baggage.
As a Christian, I could easily support Cantor. His Judeo-Christian character and morals are consistent with my Christian morals. If ones character and judgment is based one one’s history, what is to dislike about Cantor?
OUCHY. That's gonna leave a mark.
The paleoconservatives are the only ones. They won’t vote for Obama.
This may swing some moderate Jewish voters who otherwise would vote for Obama -— a 2 for 1 swing, as it is both a vote for McCain and a vote lost for Obama.
Jews vote and are concentrated in swing states.
This is why their 1% = 2% or more.
Translation: No Cantor (or Lieberman) or Romney for VP.
So you'd prefer two inexperienced "Christian" moderate men to let's say two experienced conservative Jewish women... you are so smart. NOT!
I have no problem with Cantor’s Judaism.
He says that he doesn’t personally think that Mitt’s being a Mormon is important. But he knows—as I also think—that a lot of Evangelicals just won’t vote for Mitt.
You can argue with it, but what he says is honest. Evangelicals dislike and mistrust McCain. Many of them probably still remember the way he used the left wing press to attack Bush for visiting Bob Jones University in 2000. Many of them are aware of his liberal voting record, and McCain-Feingold, which is a direct attack on religious liberty as well as freedom of speech generally.
He mentions Cantor as one possibility, and I think he’s right. Evangelicals would most certainly be completely turned off by Lieberman, but they would respect a conservative Jew who is loyal to his religious principles.
If not Cantor, then it has GOT to be someone who is genuinely conservative, a solid believer in such basic constitutional principles as the right to life, traditional marriage and family, and the right to religious freedom. Preferably also a fiscal conservative and a supporter of America’s right to defend itself against its enemies.
Gender and religious litmus tests.
How quaint.
:-)
For the umteenth time, you’re lying about Romney... It’s getting old, real fast.
“I’m starting to think you like Cantor!”
My, what gives you THAT idea?!
Best pick: Sarah Palin, pro-life, pro Anwar drilling, strong pro-family conservative leader
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