McCain and the Religious Right

[toasty]

Looks like McCain and James Dobson of Focus on the Family are in another spat:

McCain says he hopes to make amends with Dobson
COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) -- Sen. John McCain said Tuesday he hopes to patch things up with conservative Christian leader James Dobson, who recently said he wouldn't support the Republican's presidential bid under any circumstances.

In a radio interview with KCBI, a Dallas Christian station, Dobson argued that McCain didn't support traditional marriage values and said he has prayed "we won't get stuck with him." Dobson is founder of Focus on the Family.

"I'm obviously disappointed and I'd like to continue and have a dialogue with Dr. Dobson and other members of the community," McCain said Tuesday during a stop in Columbia.

McCain has said gay marriage should not be legal but has angered some conservatives with his opposition to a constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions. The Arizona senator said the issue should be left to the states.

"I'm happy to say that I've established a dialogue with a number of other leaders," including the Rev. Jerry Falwell, "Purpose Driven Life" author Rick Warren and Dr. Richard Land of the Southern Baptist Convention.

http://www.cnn.com/POLITICS/blogs/politicalticker/

I don't envy McCain's situation politically. He's at a bit of a crossroad where he's got to make a choice. Hate to say it, but if he ends up bowing down to these folks, it's going to make it really tough for me to support him. What's the good of having a centrist who does what he thinks is right if he panders to the far right when politically convenient?

C'mon John. Dance with the ones that brought you.

[88Mariner]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

nobody should bown down to those who try to inhibit personal freedoms. And I agree, McCain should not lower himself to radical ideology...

[Lorn]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

During election time they bow down to the dollars. Whoever has em is worshiped.

[FM]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

it goes back to a prior discussion on how the Republican Party doesn't have a viable candidate right now to fully please the far right...

it'll be more of a mend-the-fence-just-enough then completely bow down...

[subterFUSE]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

it goes back to a prior discussion on how the Republican Party doesn't have a viable candidate right now to fully please the far right...

it'll be more of a mend-the-fence-just-enough then completely bow down...

Correct.


There are certainly republicans who could defeat Hillary. Unfortunately, these republicans are too far left to ever get the nomination. It's a shame.... I really wish these religious nutcases could see the big picture.... Yes, some of these republican candidates don't support ALL of their right-side issues.... but come on, they have to be closer to what they want than Hillary.

Choose your battles wisely.

[Lorn]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

Sounds like we need more than two parties.

[subterFUSE]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

Sounds like we need more than two parties.

The number of parties is irrelevant to this situation. It comes down to voters not being able to compromise with their issues. Seems that the religious nutbags would rather let Hillary win than nominate someone who might be able to beat her.

[Lorn]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

Seems that the religious nutbags would rather let Hillary win than nominate someone who might be able to beat her.

If you are right than god help us.

[mylexicon]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

being religious and being a nutbag are not mutually inclusive and speaking as though they are is a discredit to many of them (both nutbags and religious people). A large portion of my family are religious right wingers who believe in limited government.

Unfortunately, many of them are too stupid to realize they need to be libertarians on a national level and develop whatever religious enclave they want on a local level so others don't have to submit to their idea of right and wrong.

BTW what's the point in having a centrist period. At some point even a centrist will have to choose between the simple dichotomy of more or less government. Centrist is code for unpredictable. Many people aren't particularly keen on leaders with no direction, especially when the status quo has become so loathsome.

[88Mariner]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

If you are right than god help us.

which is the completely irrational bullsh!t you get from that voting bloc

[Lorn]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

being religious and being a nutbag are not mutually inclusive and speaking as though they are is a discredit to many of them (both nutbags and religious people). A large portion of my family are religious right wingers who believe in limited government.

Unfortunately, many of them are too stupid to realize they need to be libertarians on a national level and develop whatever religious enclave they want on a local level so others don't have to submit to their idea of right and wrong.

Very well said. Its the same throughout the entire world. As Kinky commented in another topic regarding Islam and fundamentalists.

[88Mariner]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

mylexicon: that's an interesting point you bring up....that parts of your family are religious right-wingers that want limited government.

so is part of my family. in fact....most of them.

What compells me to address this is that....I don't believe christianity, just like any other major religion, allows for limited government in terms of ideology, holy book teachings, or the hierarchical power-structure.

I could spend hours making my point, but for sake of brevity I'll leave my comment to this one small bite: Jesus was a socialist.

[superdave]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

In the primaries, the candidates have to keep the left and right wingers happy to get the nomination then head to the center before the general election.

At some point, the religious right and others may have to compromise with McCain because he represents the best chance to beat Hillary. If not, then they chance Hillary being president or being shut out by McCain for not offering support if he wins.

[mylexicon]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

Jesus was a socialist.

Agreed. So are families, friends networks, and all other informal networks. They can't work without a degree of socialism.

But, compassion is not achieved through voting. I wish it was, it would be a lot easier to just push a button and let other people do the work. A lot of people, my family included, don't believe in a lot of the things the government does, why would they vote to continue giving it power?

And if Jesus and governmental socialistic tendencies go hand in hand, why did Karl Marx realize very early on that socialism and communism are incompatible with organized religion?

Really, this debate can go on forever because at the very bottom of it all (I believe) is whether you gravitate towards subsidiarity or solidarity (group or individual disposition). It seems trying to use reason to decide which is right and which is wrong is futile, but each of us could use one of the doctrines to support our assertions.

Please feel free to be elaborate, I'm not particularly worried about reading long winded posts.

[88Mariner]

Re: McCain and the Religious Right

And if Jesus and governmental socialistic tendencies go hand in hand, why did Karl Marx realize very early on that socialism and communism are incompatible with organized religion?

in one, the 'diety' is a 'supernatural being'. The other, the diety is 'the government'.

It's like having a religion within a religion. there's only room for one.