In Defense of Obama
55I am a Christian, but recently a number of fellow Christians have asked me the question, "How can you be a Christian and support Obama? In a discussion with a member of the leadership of the church, he told me in what I perceived as a veiled reprimand, that we Christians should tend towards the conservative position. Senator Obama's recent gains in key political states have renewed these arguments in the church community and that makes it very uncomfortable for one who does not agree with the Republicans. I feel really frustrated that my faith would be questioned just because I hold a different view from a particular group.
Also, I do not dispute that Sarah Palin is a Christian but I have a problem with the way propagates blatant lies even if she is running for Vice President. Her attacks on Obama at campaign events have been just that. I have not heard those who question my beliefs express concern over those remarks.
It is disappointing to note that she seems to be the one actually igniting the passions of Republicans in a way that honestly is very frightful. She makes neither attempts to tone down the rhetoric nor temper the inappropriate reactions. Whether by design or out of his noble heart, (I'm not sure anymore) McCain did quash a couple of individuals who spoke out of complete ignorance about Obama. One lady suggested she "read about him . . . he's . . . he's an Arab." I'd like to know her sources. Which part of him is Arab? The white mother from Kansas? The black father from the Luo tribe on the shores of Lake Victoria in Kenya? These untruths are unacceptable and, honestly, no Christian - Republican or Democrat, should be a part of an action that stirs up feelings of hatred towards another human being.
I live in Arizona, McCain's home state and I don't know which church he attends. I'm not going to look it up - just to make my point. But I know Barack Obama attended Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago where he was a member for twenty years and I knew this even before he started getting flack from the Jeremiah Wright video. This in itself should cause someone to pause and think; Obama attends church for so many years and he's a Moslem? Come on! Moslems generally do not look kindly to one of their own consorting with another faith. I'm not being intolerant. I'm stating a fact, having lived and worked among them in my home country. And, say for the sake of argument, he's an Arab - then what? Everyone in America is from somewhere and that's what makes this nation unique. That's why people from all over the world come here. That's why, I daresay, I love this country, because, for all its problems, it has been good to me. I care for America and would hate to see it divided between those who purport to love it more than others.
As for being liberal, we all saw in the third debate how both candidates stepped gingerly over the hot issue of partial birth abortion, which the conservatives hold against him. There was no real difference between the two men on their position. Obama has stated clearly on several occasions, as he stated in the debate he is not in favor of he death of any individual. He also stated that why he voted present on the ban on partial birth abortion is it did not contain a clause that would allow the procedure in the event the health of the mother was at stake. I do not know that this position makes him the "most liberal" member of the senate. Viewed objectively, Obama's voting record is not as radical as his detractors make it out to be.
Finally, the Republican base and Obama detractors have been very hypocritical on a several issues. They accused him of being a Rock star. Obama did not set out to be a rock star. He is an eloquent speaker who inspires a crowd and they love to come out to see him. That's who he is. Who are we to take it from him. When Serah Palin came along and also drew crowds of her own, suddenly it was okay to be rock star.
Speaking of stardom, McCain, touting his own international experience, goaded Obama into traveling to Iraq, Afghanistan and Europe. He went and showed himself equally at home on the diplomatic front as the home front. Instead of admitting that Obama had handled the challenge well and shown that he could interact with our soldiers, generals, and world leaders, they started complaining that Obama left them out. How childish! If he had not gone, he would still be getting grief for it today.
A while back, McCain's campaign was drifting rudderless, jettisoned by evangelicals because they were not convinced of his conservatism. When he plucked Palin from the cold blue, conservatives flocked back just because she wore her faith on her sleeve better than he did. Even though she is not top of the ticket, her presence suddenly makes McCain acceptable. Honestly, I don't get it. Who is running for president? Then why did they dump Huckabee?
There are other contradictions I would raise but I'm not qualified to bring them up. I'll just let the distinguished General Powell speak to them in the attached video.
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Comments
Paraglider: I also thought the same thing about GWB, especially running against a true American War Hero. I'm glad Obama is not sitting on his laurels in spite of his current standing. Thank you for visiting.
RalpH: Thanks for the link. I will encourages readers to take time the time to read it. It's very informative. And you are right. I've been amazed how even otherwise brilliant individuals that I know have chosen to check their informed judgment at the door before coming into this national discussion.I don't mind people choosing one way or another because people having all sorts of reasons for their choice - personal, economic, racial whatever as long as they are upfront with them. what I find frustrating is hearing them repeat a line that you heard of Fox, Rush Limbaugh or some alleged research like the Corsi book. Thanks again Ralph.
There is much talk about Obama's relative lack of experience. I guess people don't recognize that is a quality shared also by Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, and Kennedy. What bothers me most about either candidate, though, is the rhetoric that a vote for anyone other than one of the two is a wasted vote. If that is true, then it follows that a vote for the losing candidate of the two is also a wasted vote.
It is said that Socrates contended governments should be run by philosophers. Where the heck is that guy when we need him?
Hi Tom, I've said in a comment on another hub that experience without good judgment means little. I would also add something my professor in college told me. He said you don't have to know everything. You just have to know where to find it. Obama may not know everything and it's true he may not have the experience in terms of years. But I believe and there are clear indications he will have people with experience to advice him on any given issue whether it is the economy, national security or foreign policy.
I think I a person wants to vote for Nader, Barr, or whoever, let them vote. It will at least register as a statement or a protest vote. And if there are enough of them - game on!
Oh, that thinking guy, Socrates - they locked him up then killed him, remember?
Yes they did for the crime of corrupting youth with education.
There are a lot of "low information" voters around. Here's a link
Hi Tom, I wonder, if there isn't a parallel between Socrates day and present day politics. Being smart is now elitist and objectionable. There's so much talk about he or she is just like us that nobody wants to or is expected to aspire for greatness. No one aspring for high office can be just like us. George bush who won because he spoke like a regular guy is not a regular guy. Serah Palin even now as Governor is not just like us. Neither is Obama. Let's admit that all these guys and gals have the admirable gift of dealing with high office and all the junk and perks that go with it. But this we can, and should do - demand the highest standards of them in every way.
Great hub, PenmanZee--very well written and you brought up a lot of great points. I'm also an AZ-based Obama supporter, and I'm disgusted by the tactics the McCain-Palin camp have been using to gain support by deliberately propagating misinformation and breeding hatred. I hadn't seen the official Powell endorsement before, so thanks for including it here--he brought up a lot of a great points and I'm glad he's starting to distance himself from the Republican party.
It's unfortunate that so many people are basing their votes on fear that Obama may be a Muslim (and I agree with Powell, why would it matter if he was!), or a terrorist, or that he wants to murder babies. People are dying, people are suffering, and the gap between the rich and the poor in this country is growing at an alarming rate. I don't think either candidate is perfect or will singlehandedly be able to fix the mess that the Bush administration has created, but as far as I can tell, the most important differentiator between McCain and Obama is Obama has a history of selflessly working to empower people and give them opportunities for advancement, while McCain has a history of selfishly forging alliances that serve his own self-interests (such as his 2nd marriage) and working to keep all the wealth in the hands of the richest citizens and corporations. I don't understand why something as seemingly insignificant as abortion rights is enough to blind people to the reality of the differences between these candidates.
Only a week left to go... may the best candidate win!
Obama in '08
Hi Penmanzee,
your hubs are very measured and logical, and always a good read. I saw MCain and Palin on our late night news last night, and their mutual body language tells me that this is a marriage that is already in trouble. I so hope that you get the result that you're hoping for next week, as it would be a shame for the new President to arrive in the White House in the midst of divorcing his running mate! Joking aside though, i will be astonished if Obama doesn't win.
Melissa, is that a real question? What if Obama is a terrorist or that he wants to murder babies? Did I read that right? You would support a terrorist?
ASU - parenthetical asides refer to their immediate antecedents. So no - you read it wrongly.
I'm glad. Something that wasn't in them was that abortion rights being insignificant. The fact that there's a silent holicost going on in the US is anything but insignificant. And one of the reasons the US is in the shape it's in today. Palin is pro-life. As she showed the world in having Trig. As long as we go against what God said for us to do, the US will continue to falter. No matter which party is in control.
ASU - the President's personal thoughts on abortion will have very little bearing on the number of abortions that are carried out during his tenure. However his views on military deployment in foreign countries could hugely affect the number of unnecessary deaths of troops and civilians. Bush's foreign policies have cause widespread misery. Let us hope that American voters consider how best to reverse this tendency to kill first and think later.
Paraglider--I couldn't agree with you more.
I was only responding to a comment another person made. And it is important. The president's values will carry over into decisions he makes, war included. A person's convictions dictate what he/she does, that goes for us, and everyone else in the world, including our leaders. That's why it is important to elect a president who has conviction. What a person feels about murdering babies shows a ton about his/her character.
And it doesn't shock me, I even expect you to agree with each other as you are both for murdering babies.
allshookup, I am not for murdering babies, and I resent the implication that I am. I am for a world where people have equal opportunities to pursue happiness and lead joyful and productive lives. Please stop trying to make everything about abortion, there are so many problems in this world: war, global warming, famine, pollution, extreme poverty, financial challenges--you are missing the bigger picture if all you care about is the fact that Palin is pro-life. She is also pro-shooting innocent animals from helicopters, and pro-speaking in tongues, and pro-spending ridiculous amounts of money on her clothes and makeup, pro-abusing her authority to get people fired, and pro-burning books.
And yes, I agree that a person's convictions and values are of utmost importance, and that's why I'm voting for Obama.
Tom? Comparing Teddy Roosevelt to Obama? Roosevelt was only 42 but he was nothing like Obama. He was a war hero like John McCain and then a governor like Palin. He was also an avid HUNTER. Roosevelt wasn't a community organizer and never worked for ACORN teaching people the art of voter fraud and intimidation. Roosevelt father was a prominent American and Christian, Obama's father and stepfather were both Muslims from other countries. Lincoln and Roosevelt were both Republicans,not Socialists.
Obama has spent four times as much as McCain thanks to him going back on his word on public financing,he lied on that one so there is no sense disputing that . The polls are tightening, Rasmussen and Gallup have McCain within 3 points, OMG how can people be so Stupid? Or are they? The same polls had Kerry and Gore ahead,oops sorry, didn't mean to bring up such a touchy subject. Penmanzee,good hub. Dk5
Allshookup said - {{And it doesn't shock me, I even expect you to agree with each other as you are both for murdering babies.}}
That is an evil, insulting and stupid remark.
Melissa G: Thank you for your comments. And you bring out a good point that even many analysts have recently mentioned. GWB started out with the intention of becoming a uniter, not a divider. Eight years later, the nation is more divided than it has ever been. Take a look at the two candidates: in the time between my \ writing this hub to this moment enough has happened to tell which of the two is likely to unite the country. Obama has united his party which is derided for disorganization and lack of discipline. He even shared the stage last night with Bill Clinton whose criticism of him in the primaries was even more scathing than McCain's. Should he win (and I hope he does) I bet he will reach out to McCain. I wish I could say the same of McCain looking at the friction in his party at present, and even with his running mate. Thanks again Melissa.
Hi Amanda: LOL It's funny the way you put it - the divorcing bit. And yes... I think everybody, whether they like him or not, would be surprised if Obama did not win. Thanks for your kind words and always a pleasure to talk with you.
Melissa G: Thank you for your comments. And you bring out a good point that even many analysts have recently mentioned. GWB started out with the intention of becoming a uniter, not a divider. Eight years later, the nation is more divided than it has ever been. Take a look at the two candidates: in the time between my \ writing this hub to this moment enough has happened to tell which of the two is likely to unite the country. Obama has united his party which is derided for disorganization and lack of discipline. He even shared the stage last night with Bill Clinton whose criticism of him in the primaries was even more scathing than McCain's. Should he win (and I hope he does) I bet he will reach out to McCain. I wish I could say the same of McCain looking at the friction in his party at present, and even with his running mate. Thanks again Melissa
Hi Amanda. LOL Its funny the way you put it - the marriage and divorce bit. And yes... I would be surprised and indeed, a lot of people would be surprised if Obama did not win, whether they like him or not. Thank you for your kind comments and always a pleasure to talk with you.
Paraglider: Thanks for clarifying the grammatic issue hence the meaning as you did. I also allude to your discourse with Allshookup and Melissa GAllshookup: Thank you for visiting and commenting on my hub. I have visited yours and I see we have the same fundamental biblical beliefs. In all truth I don't think any right thinking person is for murdering babies. Unfortunately this discussion has been reduced to two labels pro-life and pro-abortion. Someone said there are no accidents when two right thinking and consenting individuals engage in sex. The natural result is a baby. In this case abortion is absolutely and unconditionally wrong. But what do you tell a woman or a girl got pregnant as a result of rape. What do you tell the girl who got pregnant when a male relative took advantage of her? Think what is does to their psyche whenever they recall that traumatic event. Honestly, I wouldn't know what to say. Paraglider rightly says the President's position has little bearing on the actual abortions that take place. We have not seen a significant reduction of abortions in GWB's term yet he was elected on a pro-life premise. In addition, gay and lesbian movements have made a number of decisive strides in redefining marriage in his term. Yet he was twice elected in large measure for his position on those issues. But he took the nation to war. We know the number of brave soldiers lost. But what about the number of Iraqis. Are their lives any less valuable? There a genocide going on in Darfur right now and all we hear is talk, talk, talk. We went to Iraq to free the people from a tyrant. Why can't we urge the international intervene in Darfur where many thousands are being killed every month? I think this president has been very partial in the decisions he has made and I don't see McCain doing any better.There are also issues of poverty. Obviously this problem hits the third world hardest but the reality of it was brought home by Hurricane Katrina. At best, what we saw was a bungling administration and planless FEMA. At worst, we saw the neglect and indifference to a needy section of society. It is of note that Jesus was very concerned about the plight of the poor and often commanded his disciples to take care of them. When you think about the millions that die of starvation across the world when putting together a high protein meal could have saved their lives, that is genocide in itself. What I'm trying to say is we can expand this argument to include the greater world community and if we do, the we can legitimately ask if abortion and gay rights are the only issues that qualify or disqualify a candidate. Having done so, I am more comfortable with Obama, who left a six figure job to work with the poor in Chicago. He's married to one wife so I don't see why he would subscribe to another philosophy that undermines his own public life. I also don't see him taking us to another ill-considered war. Now not going to war is not a weakness as some would have it seem. I think exercising restraint and knowing when to flex one's muscles is a sign of strength so far Obama comes through as the more judicious leader.
Penmanzee - that comment is a hub in itself. There's not a word I would change!
Very passionate hub. I agree supporting obama shouldn't be considered as anti christian.
Thanks Paraglider. It's hard to condense some points and I had to get them out. I appreciate your visits as always.
Countrywomen: Good to see you again and thanks for stopping by and for your comments. Yes, Obama should be considered anti-Christian solelly on the grounds of ideological differences or even heritage.
DK5: I want to thank you for visiting and for the fact we can be civil even when we differ. Please note that McCain applied for public campaign financing and tried to get out of it when his fortunes changed with his victory in the NH primaries that delivered the nomination to him.
http://www.businessjournalism.org/campaignwatch/20
He flip-flopped on the matter. It's true Obama's father was a muslim convert from Kenya and his step-father an Indonesian. But who were the steady guiding beacons in his life? His grandparents. His grandfather served the country in war too. His grandmother nurtured him and fostered in him Christian values that remain with him today.
An anti-Obama man talking on the radio recently heatedly spoke saying no one should serve as president of the United States who has not served in the military. In the same breath, he mentioned his admiration for GWB. I don't get it! The latter only made a cameo appearance in the National Guard! And yeah... I'm still sore he was picked over Kerry - a true American hero.
Great hub. I find, similar to yourself, that Obama is Christian in his actions.
Hi Penmanzee,
I just came by for a second visit, and Jewels comment struck a chord with me. It would seem that it's always better to judge a man by his actions rather than by his words, and this is doubly true of politicians who employ clever and talented writers to window dress their speeches. I was brought up in a church going family myself, although I don't attend now, but I do remember that the message was about love, compassion and generosity, and Obama appears far more 'Christian' to me than his opponents.
Hi Jewels, nice to meet you. I love your pic!
Amanda: I always love it when you visit.
Both: It is not easy to tell exactly the nature of a man, especially when all you have is the images on TV, in print, or the internet but you can have a pretty good picture over time. And in this age of intense media scrutiny, I don't see a man availing himself to public office who has not already seriously vetted himself and Obama has been more consistent as far as I've observed. Thanks again for stopping by ladies.
PenmanZee, great comments--you write from a very knowledgeable and enlightened perspective and I enjoy reading your thoughts.
Why, thank you Melissa. The sentiment is mutual. I'm happy to have made your acquaintance.
Why, thank you Melissa. The sentiment is mutual. I'm happy to have made your acquaintance.
I agree(with Jewels) a man should be judged by his actions. I don't know whether I would be opening a can of worms by saying this but personally when public figures don't set a great personal example then they should not breach what they tend to preach(christian values...). I mean when McCain who left his first wife for Cindy (I still fail to understand how can a woman fall in love with a married man, forget about some men who may lose interest in a woman after a couple of years).
Countrywomen, the McCan is already open and McCain himself opened it when he chose to go into public office so fire away! I'm glad it's you a fellow woman who says she doesn't understand Cindy. On the face of it, I certainly don't.
Paraglider says:
15 months ago
When I heard Gen. Colin Powell endorse Obama this morning I thought, surely now he's home and dry. But I was sure GWB wouldn't get a second term and was wrong there, so let's just keep hoping!