Republican Blogger in Exile

Some of you may be wondering why I have been so silent on this blog in reference to the political race, particularly owing to my once avid involvement in politics, and my role that I adopted in 2008 of "Republican Blogger in Exile." Shouldn't I be itching to be doing my part to return Republicans to power? Not really. Why is this? It is due to two main reasons.

First, in 2008, I was a novice to Biblical studies: I loved politics, but knew nothing more about theology than what I had learned in church. As I learned that Jesus was Lord, and that that term had political ramifications, my entire way of viewing the world changed. In response to this, my political positions started changing: the US was no longer my chief entity that I needed to serve. Thus, in my pursuit of King Jesus, my values shifted away from some Republican positions, I softened on immigration, war (and military spending), watching out for the poor. So, in many ways, I am no longer a Republican in exile because Republicans have been booted from office, but rather I am now a Republican in exile because many Republicans have exiled me from the party: “You don’t think freedom is worth killing over? You liberal. And you don’t think we should deport all of the illegal aliens? Why don’t you just become a Democrat?” It is important to note at this point that I still consider myself a conservative, I just don’t toe the line when it appears that my study of Scripture should lead me elsewhere.

Second, is the nature of the 2012 election. I held my nose and voted for McCain in ’08. But we had to go nominate another moderate? Romney may have truly changed his mind on abortion and other issues that are near to my heart, but the timing was far too politically expedient for me to believe it. Tie that to comments from Romney’s campaign this spring that he was an “etch-a-sketch” candidate, and I simply do not trust him. I do not believe he shares my core political beliefs, and I honestly have no clue what he would actually believe and work on once he was in office. In addition, let’s mention the elephant in the room: Romney is Mormon! Those very same people who once made outlandish claims that Obama was a secret Muslim (even though Obama has claimed to be a believer) are now the ones who are willingly voting for a man who is part of a cult. And in many cases (such as Billy Graham) the political support of a candidate is leading believers to blur the line between orthodoxy and heresy. So, I couldn’t support Romney. Combining  not falling in complete lock-step with my party and being extremely unhappy with their nominee leads to a great big “meh” about the election.

I believe Americans have a responsibility to vote. I couldn’t vote for Romney. I don’t want Obama to win either (which is why I have been almost completely silent on this blog). So my solution for myself? I wrote in Barry Creamer, PhD. Your vote is up to you: vote your conscience. Vote for who you think God would have you vote. Regardless of who wins, Jesus is still Lord, he still reigns.

Palin definitely leaves the door open for a run for President

In an interview with Greta Van Susteren of Fox she was asked about future Presidential ambitions, and she said:
“You know, I have -- faith is a very big part of my life. And putting my life in my creator's hands -- this is what I always do. I'm like, OK, God, if there is an open door for me somewhere, this is what I always pray, I'm like, don't let me miss the open door. Show me where the open door is. Even if it's cracked up a little bit, maybe I'll plow right on through that and maybe prematurely plow through it, but don't let me miss an open door. And if there is an open door in '12 or four years later, and if it is something that is going to be good for my family, for my state, for my nation, an opportunity for me, then I'll plow through that door.”

Sooo, everyone has been speculating on this, but we can now add Sarah Palin to our list of definite "Ins" for the Race for President. We can also almost definitely remove Gov. Mitt Romney from the list. When speaking to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he said:
"I think it's quite unlikely that I would run for office again," he said. "I gave this my best effort. My experience in politics is that the window opens rarely. It opened for me. I stepped through it, got on the stage and did my darnedest to win the nomination. John McCain was successful and I was not."

Super Tuesday

Super Tuesday wins for Mike Huckabee are proving his electability, and reviving his campaign! At the time of this writing, Mike Huckabee has been declared the winner in 3 states! That is only 1 state less than John McCain has won. I would like to know, how can the media justly say that this is a 2 person race between Romney and McCain, when (at this time) Huckabee has won 3 times as many states as Romney?

Will Michigan knock McCain off stride?

As I am watching the returns, it looks like Romney is going to win, if so, will this knock John McCain off of his new found stride that he gained in the NH Primary? Tell me what you think.

A New Era in Politics?

Well my friends,
After the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire primary, I am starting to think that one of The Truths of Politics has started to fail. Actually a few of them.
The first and main one is The Truth that negative campaigning works. Both of these elections have been won by the victim of the attacks rather than the attacker. Does this show that negative campaigning is losing its potency. I hope so! I don't mind Republicans going negative on Democrats, but I do mind Republicans going negative on each other. I guess I believe in Reagan's 11th commandment for Republicans, which is "Thou shalt not speak ill of any Republican". I believe that this applies in all but a few cases, such as a RINO like Rudy Giuliani. Negative ads if unsuccessful only hurt the nominee who survived them. It is also harder to support the nominee is only a few months earlier you were attacking him. I want candidates to tell me why they should be the President, not why the other guy shouldn't be the President.
The second Truth that is being questioned is that a candidate has to have loads of to run a successful campaign. This is being disproved by Mike Huckabee who has seen incredible gains in the amount of support while spending a fraction of what the other campaigns are spending.
In closing, it is time for things to change, and it is looking like 2008 will be the year to start the change!

Huckabee Won!!!

Well y'all,
Huckabee has won in Iowa. Even after Mitt Romney went REALLY negative. People say that going negative is the way to win, but it didn't tonight. Is this the start of a new era in American politics?

The Case Against Mitt Romney

Well y'all, it is time to get after "Pretty Boy Mitt". The first issue is his rather convenient change of position on political issues. Now I can understand changing your mind, but when it is just a couple of years before you plan to run for President is just too much for me to believe.

Next, is his support of the Federal Assault Weapons Ban. Not only is that an unconstitutional position, but also goes against a long time strong point of the GOP, which is protection of our gun rights.

Next, is the fact that he was Governor of Massachusetts. How can a Republican be Governor of one of the most liberal places in America (Their entire Congressional Delegation is Democratic) claim to be a true conservative?

Last, is the problem of him being a Mormon, according to NEP, Evangelical Christians cast about a third of W's vote in 2004. Without them, Senator Kerry would be President Kerry. I don't think a Mormon could excite them like Bush did.

In closing, Mitt Romney has lots of good points (I will write about them in a few weeks), I don't believe he is "The One".