Thoughts on Politics and Campaign 2008

It's no secret to those who have read much of what I've written that my theology is fairly conservative. Politically I also lean conservative but I try to avoid party politics and I look at each candidate and their views before I make my decisions in the voting booth, regardless of the letter that comes after their name on the ballot. I've intentionally tried to avoid getting too political in my writing and at my church because my opinion is that Christians who work in any kind of ministry need to avoid controversies that might get in the way of reaching people with the Gospel. But I'm going to share some observations here, in the spirit of open-mindedness, and as always I invite your feedback.

• What is it with all the partisan hacks in the faith blogosphere? I'm not going to call any names here, because I like to save flame wars for more important issues. But Christian blogs that read like Democratic or Republican talking points without showing any apparent struggle with any issues are just divisive noise as far as I'm concerned.
• Why aren't more women defending Sarah Palin against the obvious sexism coming out of the media? Politics aside, when male reporters are questioning whether a woman running for office will have time for her children (when I've never heard that asked about a man) is out of line. But I've heard almost no complaints from leftist feminists.
• John McCain said tonight that education is the civil rights issue of this century, and I think he's right. Juan Williams of NPR (and Fox News) agreed too. And I'll add that if education is the civil rights issue, abortion is the moral issue. And while overturning Roe v. Wade should be a top priority, we should also do more to help single moms and their babies after they're born.
• MSNBC must have taken their entire panel out to the woodshed after last night. It was almost a lovefest tonight. Even Keith Olbermann seemed more "fair and balanced".
• My view on the Iraq war: I'm glad Saddam is gone, but looking back, the war wasn't a good idea. But we must end it right or we'll create even bigger problems. I'm concerned that Muslims in the area see us as an occupying Christian army. So we need to get out as soon as we can do it without making Iraq even less stable. But it looks like that's already in the works. I do think McCain will handle the war better than Obama or Bush.
• No matter who is elected, I hope our country does a lot more in the next four years to provide more educational and economic opportunities to people in inner city areas.

Comments

[John]

I want a President who gives the impression of being mildly psychotic and has a fondness for violence and has a short fuse. In keeping with Frank J's "Nuke the Moon" view of foreign policy, I think that this would keep us safe(r).

Alternatively, I'd like to see a President with small-government proclivities, but I know that that's a pipe dream.