Pennsylvania Primary- Dems debate

Begin the countdown.

With 200 days until the November 4, 2008 Presidential election, candidates are fighting for the spotlight. June should bring about the conclusion of the Democratic nominee process, and we will finally know which candidate will run against McCain. 

The Pennsylvania Primary is sure to add some fuel to the fire. The religious breakdown of Philly is rather interesting. Based on polling, Reuters suggests that “Clinton, a New York senator, is expected to poll strongly among blue-collar Catholic voters.”

Pew surveyed 1,896 Pennsylvania adults as part of its nationwide survey and produce data for the following breakdown on religious affiliation. The survey has a 2.5 percent margin of error for Pennsylvania:

         

This simply means, well, nothing conclusive. Hillary and Obama are both in the hot seat because, based on religious affiliations, this primary could go either way. In past primaries, strong support for both candidates by Catholics can be seen. Even Pro-abortion Obama has been endorsed by Catholic Sen. Robert Casey Jr. 

I guess we will all just have to wait in anticipation for who will come out on top in Philly. 

Wow. I’m being politically correct.

Can you believe that? Right next to CNN hyping their hosting of a debate surrounding faith- is semi-naked pictures of a pop star. How is that for irony?

It just goes to show you that no matter how political a site will claim to be it is all profit driven. It doesn’t matter if it is a bot that randomly chooses the advertising that pops up everytime someone clicks on that link. It is the sheer fact that it is an option. What kind of crowd goes to find out about CNN hosted debates and actually wants to click on an ad for Jessica Simpson? Well, honestly I can probably think of a few guys in my class that wouldn’t mind clicking on it but that is a whole other blog for a whole other place and time.

What’s the deal?- Intolerance- Plain and simple

I had to get this out there. I am intolerant. Every week I search multiple sites for updated information on religion and politics, and every week it is the same thing. Obama, Obama, Obama, Hillary, McCain, Obama, Obama. I understand that there are other issues out there that need addressing, but the diversity in this election has propelled religion into the spotlight and it sucks (yes, I said it… it sucks). The Obama camp is the only one willing to accept this. K. Done. I just wanted to share my frustration with you.

Back to the issue at hand. Washington Post’s Jon Meacham and Sally Quinn posted this question to their panel of experts.

“John McCain’s spiritual guide, televangelist Rod Parsley, calls Islam a ‘false religion’ that should be ‘destroyed.’ Should McCain renounce Parsley? Will Islam be an issue in this year’s U.S. presidential election?”

I wanted to weigh in on the subject.

I understand that religion has its place in politics, but should it? No. There is no room for the blind (as in blind faith religious persons) to lead the blind (as in the uneducated masses who are allowed to vote in this country. Those people who use the mantra “ignorance is bliss”). I am not saying that if you are religious you are wrong. It is in our nature, and always has been. I just feel that as an evolved, intellectual group, we should be able to separate the two.

Take a look at Susan Jacoby’s answer to the question. She states her opinion in a way that really resonated with me. Verifying others’ ideas, but making sure her point is still heard.

“The true mystery is why the majority of Americans, having had a recent look at the goofy views of many clerics–yes, ’spiritual advisers’ to candidates for the highest office in the land–still regard faith as an essential qualification for the presidency.” – Susan Jacoby

Just a side note for all you baseball fans. Former Arizona Diamondback and current Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Shilling endorses McCain.

“As for religion in the presidential campaign, ‘I don’t care one way or the other what the candidates’ religious beliefs are, as long as they don’t try to impose those beliefs on someone through their platform,’ he says.” – Newsmax.com

Once again Obama addresses religion’s role in politics

Where are the other frontrunners? I hear countless items all across news services regarding Obama and religion, and it is a shame we don’t hear much from anyone else. But ask yourself. Why is that? Could it be that Obama is the only one who is being attacked by the media and his colleagues? Or is he the only one addressing it?   This is part one in a series of five videos on his speech to the Call to Renewal group about their Covenant for a New America doctrine. He commends the policies and prescriptions highlighted in the doctrine and then takes it one step further. He says he is going to “talk about the connection between religion and politics and perhaps offer some thoughts on how WE can sort through some of the often bitter arguments we’ve been seeing over the last few years.”  He addresses it. He is known for it. But has the current media spotlight on Obama’s religion cast a shadow on his competitors?  Associated Press released a Today on the Presidential Campaign Trail series of clips that allow readers to keep track of their candidate of choice. Obama’s sections? Of course. Religion-based information. McCain focuses on knowledge, or lack thereof, about the economy yet, gives a speech on the Wall Street housing plummet. Hillary “lies” about a trip to Bosnia and struggles with her own religious issues surrounding her involvement with The Fellowship. They all have demons when it comes to religion and their past religious experiences, however Obama is the only one who has the critics ranting and the political pundits raving. I am one hundred percent for addressing issues head on, and it looks like only one of our candidates has been doing that lately. As mentioned in an Artvoice article written by Michael I. Niman about all the so-called “religious advisors” of each candidate, “Get a grip.”  

Obama gets dealt the FAITH card

It’s been a rough week for the Obama train.  He has had to fight numerous allegations of being of a Muslim faith. His campaign has had to fight. His grandmother has even had to step in and quiet those rumors.

Obama conceded from the beginning that there would be controversy surrounding his faith and religion.

In 2007, Obama abruptly dismissed his pastor,  Rev. Jeremiah Wright, of 20 years from giving his invocation speech. Time went by and Wright’s sermons gained popularity on the YouTube circuit. This is where the explaining for Obama had to begin.

Personally, I do not think that the antics of a pastor should reflect his congregation. I know that there have been times where I have disagreed with a sermon or two. This may reflect Obama’s tolerance. Yes, Wright preaches about “God damn America” and that “Americas chickens.” But how is it that another man’s words are taken as another man’s belief? It can’t possibly be. I would argue that Obama shows tolerance in that he accepts the words of his pastor as just that… the words of his pastor. He attended church and interpreted what is said before him- we all do the same. He may have publically denounced his pastor for the content of his sermons but the fact remains that it wasn’t an issue until the issue was forced by the media.

McCain gets it

I would like to share with you an e-mail that I received from Sen. John McCain. I am not a registered Republican, and yet he still has my e-mail address. Hmmmm…

FROM THE DESK OF JOHN MCCAIN

Dear Friend,

Last night, we did it. We won the Republican nomination for President. It was a long, up and down journey, but we worked hard, spoke honestly to the American people, and our steadfast determination has paid off.

As we come to the end of our party’s primary contest, we begin what will certainly be a spirited and hard-fought campaign against the Democratic nominee. In November, Americans will have a clear choice to make. And I intend to fight as hard as I can to make it very clear that I am the candidate with the experience and leadership to serve as our commander in chief from day one.

My friends, I write to you today because I know we have a great challenge ahead of us. This campaign will be more expensive than any other in our history and I ask you today to support my campaign by making a generous contribution of $50, $100, $250, $500 or $1,000.

As president, I intend to reduce the size of the federal government, reduce your tax burden and win the war against Islamic extremists. My Democratic opponents will increase the size of the federal government, raise your taxes and withdraw our troops from the front lines based on an arbitrary timeline.

I have said before that this election will be about big things, not small things. And as president, I will make the hard but necessary decisions to lead our country in solving our greatest challenges. Today, we must unite as we face either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama in November. I ask that you join me today and make a financial commitment to help our campaign replenish our resources.

I thank you for your support and look forward to the campaign that lies ahead of us.

Sincerely,

John McCain

P.S. My friends, now that I have secured enough delegates to be the Republican nominee for president, I ask that you support my campaign by making a contribution right away to replenish our campaign funds. As we end our primary contest and begin what will be a competitive general election against the Democratic nominee, I stand ready to lead our nation as we face great challenges, and it is my hope that you will join my campaign today. Thank you.

How sad is it that the presidential candidates CAN infiltrate our personal e-mail with soliciation? I understand that it is an ingenious marketing ploy. I even understand that some people are awed by the fact that they get personally e-mailed by McCain- but I’m not and should not be bothered.

He states that this campaign will be the most costly yet. Well, why? Shouldn’t people already have an idea of what he is all about? Can’t people look up facts and decide for themselves? I forgot. We are lazy, and campaigning is a staple of American tradition. See you at the polls, McCain. See you at the polls.

Fun stuff. Not a thing to do with religion.

I scoured Flickr.com to create a montage of satire surrounding the 2008 election.

In all reality, it wasn’t that hard to find people making fun of government. Wow. I stated the obvious. A prize for me.

Pictures, they say, are worth a thousand words. Well, these are worth just two. Hot damn.

All photos courtesy of Flickr.com

Primaries hit four more

Texas, Ohio, Vermont and Rhode Island join the primary madness. Early exit polling shows that the Democrats are once again in a dead heat.

Does this surprise anyone? I wouldn’t be commenting on it if it were not one of those “No kidding” moments everyone in the political arena is talking about these days.

Here is yet another one of those so-called moments.

The genius that is a political commentator of an “to-be-unnamed’ Arizona Valley radio station spent an exacerbated 10 minutes of my drive this morning on John Edwards. Really? Yes. On John Edwards. The broader idea was to get at the issue of how presidential hopefuls change their persona after dropping out of the race.

Well, duh. Why wouldn’t they? They are no longer in the limelight, and they are not bidding for a national nomination.

Doesn’t your personality change drastically from being in front of a mirror at home to being at work? Mine sure does.

On another note.

Hillary had a lot to say today. She warned of a potential deadlock and urged voters to make their voices count. “You know this is a long process,” Ms. Clinton said. 

Even during last-minute campaigning around Texas, Hillary showed tremendous devotion to the cause of getting out the vote.

“I feel really good about today,” the New York senator told reporters outside a Houston elementary school. “Let’s wait and see what the voters have actually decided — I think it’s going to turn out well.”- Los Angeles Times

Obama finally gets fed up

Wow. AOL is all over it.

A presentation by AOL sheds light on the allegations that surround Obama and religion.

During this election, Obama’s faith has been questioned. He has been linked to Islam and has been accused of “turning his back on his country.”

For God’s sake (pun intended), leave the man alone. CNN did some incredible investigative reporting and found evidence to support that Obama is not, and never was, Islamic.

I know it’s hard to believe anything in politics, but when someone sees the deception, proves it wrong and continually debates the issue — Can’t we just take their word for it?

Nader joins 2008 election, God gets answers

Ralph Nader, a Christian, recently announced his [LATE] run to the White House. Just what we need, someone to take away votes from the real candidates. Analysts at Freep.com say it is likely he will not pose any threat.

Described as an “egomaniac” and a “kooky left wing version of Ron Paul,” Nader brings little new to the election than he did in 2000 and 2004. Times have changed, and with that Nader has become more and more politically dangerous. A loose cannon that cannot wait to fire at the Democratic and Republican policies.

According to an article on POLITICO.com, Nader has already attacked Clinton and Barack.

Nader said in an interview that Obama is an overly cautious captive of his handlers who has a “relatively mediocre” Senate record. Clinton, Nader said, “is a panderer and a flatterer.”

I will give him credit for one thing, though. He is not afraid to answer a direct question, and running as an independent gives him the freedom to truly speak his mind.

God gets answers.

Here is just a little something that I found to help keep religion in the picture. Something that offers insight into how being humble can make you seem just a little more arrogant.

Lunaimee posted this YouTube video titled “The Atheist Vote, 2008 Presidential Election,” from an ABC-hosted political debate.