Posted on 02/24/2005 4:38:09 AM PST by KidGlock
Charismatic Pastor 'Would be a Clarion Voice' in U.S. Senate
A prominent charismatic pastor is considering a run for U.S. Senate in 2006. Bishop Keith Butler, pastor of one of Detroit's largest churches, Word of Faith International Christian Center, has announced that he was launching an exploratory committee to see if he could drum up enough support for a campaign. A longtime Republican, Butler, 49, said at the center of his platform would be the protection of marriage, religious liberty and national security. Butler, who won a seat on Detroit's city council in 1989 and served a four-year term, said it would benefit the nation as a whole "to have a senator that protects life, that protects traditional family values and ... understands also that it is important to take care of the poor."
"Should I run, I will not be running as a black Republican," Butler told "Charisma" magazine in the March issue, out now. The full story on Butler can be found in the magazine.
"I will be running as a Republican who believes deeply in protecting the family in our society, securing America, keeping her safe, keeping American jobs," he added. "I will look to be a senator for all the people of Michigan and not just one segment of the population."
If he were to run for Senate, and if he were to win, Butler would not be the first minister to hold a seat in Congress. New York pastor Floyd Flake served six terms in Congress, while Oklahoma Baptist minister J.C. Watts spent four terms in the House. But a win would make Butler only the fifth African American ever elected to the Senate, and only the second black Republican.
A native of Detroit, Butler was a liberal arts major at the University of Michigan, studying social sciences and minoring in political science. He worked at IBM and General Motors before he founded Word of Faith in 1979 with his wife, Deborah, after attending RHEMA Bible Training Center.
Today the church has more than 20,000 members and has planted 15 satellite churches across the United States, and in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Scotland and London. Butler also oversees some 950 ministers through his Word of Faith Ministerial Alliance.
Getting votes outside Detroit may be one of Butler's biggest challenges, though observers say he could overcome that obstacle. "I suspect he'll do the work if he elects to run," said Michigan Republican National Committee spokesman Nate Bailey. "He's a smart man, well spoken, a man of great principle, great faith. I think he would make a fine U.S. senator."
Already anticipating that Butler will run, Traditional Values Coalition (TVC) President Lou Sheldon has pledged to give Butler the maximum campaign contribution both personally and through TVC's political action committee, the Christian Voters Project.
"He would be a clarion voice in the United States Senate to keep America on the principles that our Founding Fathers gave us," Sheldon said.
Wouldn't it be nice to have someone to counter Obama?
And he actually won an election in Detroit? Way cool.
the US Senate definitely needs some true conservative and God-fearing people in it. much more than obama needs to be opposed.
Good news bump
For all of their rhetoric about celebrating diversity there would not be enough cross over from the evil union controlled democrap party to get Butler elected. Additionally, I believe there would be enough stay at home Republicans to thwart Butler's efforts. I will be there if he is the candidate.
"But a win would make Butler only the fifth African American ever elected to the Senate, and only the second black Republican."
In addition, we have continual blame Bush Dims for the state of our State and the state of Detroit. They can't seem to grasp that they are living with the results of the policies they love so much. Tied for last in unemployment, yet the home of what could be argued as the biggest global industry.
Stupid is as stupid does.
Back to the article, I wonder what Pastor Butler thinks of the FairTax.
Plus, he was a National Committeeman for the state GOP.
He's one of us--but the heretic-hunters will be out in full force with a chance to attack the so-called prosperity gospel.
All in all, I'd much rather have Mike Rogers or Candice Miller run. But if no one is willing to take on Liberal Debbie, Butler could be our man. I'd much rather if he ran for Sander Levin's House seat instead, however (just across the 8 Mile line, but with a large black population in Southfield and a couple of other South Oakland townships).
I am afraid you are right.
Breaking New Ground -- African American Senators
To date, four African Americans have served as United States senators. In 1870, Hiram Revels of Mississippi became the first African American senator. Five years later, Blanche K. Bruce of Missisppi took the oath of office. It would be nearly another century, 1967, before Edward Brooke of Massachusetts followed in their historic footsteps. In 1993, Carol Moseley-Braun broke new ground again, becoming the first African American female to serve as U.S. senator.
Thanks, Michigander.
If that list includes every black elected to the Senate in the 19th Century, then by adding the recently elected Barack Obama we get 5 black Senators, 3 of whom were Republican (the first three on the list). So Bishop Butler would become the sixth (not the fifth) black Senator and the fourth (not the second) black Republican Senator.
This is fantastic news! I knew Keith Butler years ago when he was a Detroit City Councilman and I also knew two of his best friends, who are also inner-city Detroit church pastors and good Republicans, all. Keith's church is unique in that he works with the poor in the city to train them for work and insure they get off of the welfare rolls. He -- and his two friends -- run computer training centers (and other summer "camps" and training centers) for kids in the inner-city and are responsible for saving many thousands over the past two decades.
Keith has fiscally sound politics very similar to his friend Jack Kemp and, when Kemp was a Cabinet Member and Keith a Detroit Councilman, they started many good projects to benefit the City. However, as I remember, Keith Butler's church takes zero government funds for its programs and good works. Funding is by private donations only.
If my memory is correct, I also believe Keith Butler gave one of the keynote speeches at the RNC Convention when Reagan was nominated. Back then, he was thought to be a fast raising star in the Republican Party but took himself out of politics to continue his work in Detroit's inner-city.
Not only would I support Keith Butler for the U.S. Senate, I would be tempted to actually take myself out of retirement to help in his campaign committee.
If he runs, maybe this forum can help as we can - behind the scenes and with contributions.
The fisrt two rule out dim support, the last removes the NEW Republican, leaving only true conservatives for support.
I PRAY HE WINS!
PS I owe you freepmail.
I know Butler indirectly. This guy is the real deal, and is a tremendous man of faith.
Yes, that may happen and would be a big help early on. Free Republic has very long arms.
I copied and sent the article and my reply to many active Republican people here in Michigan (and a couple other states) who would be interested in helping. Perhaps we could get a "quiet" advertising campaign going for him so folks know of his good works long before he announces for office -- I much prefer that approach to any political campaign. But, before I jump the gun, perhaps I should give him a call and see how much of this is true. Butler is a very good speaker and would be quite good on talk radio shows. That would be a great first step, if he is really interested in running for office.
One major block of votes in Michigan is in Detroit and Keith Butler can do quite well there with the black community where he is well known. It takes support in Detroit to win any state-wide office. Which means, this is doable.
You don't owe me squat, but another one of your cowinkidinks yesterday as you said you were on DirecTv, like we are, not Dish. So got something from Southwestern Bell with Dish tv.
The Lord blessed us both as DirecTv is a much better deal.
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