Monday, September 29th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
During this election cycle, much has been made of the possibility that Virginia could turn blue in November. But Senator Obama’s success in the state will likely depend on how well he can do in Southwest Virginia. A fascinating piece in
The New Yorker examines the challenges he’ll face in this part of the state.
Although the New Yorker piece suggests Obama might have a pretty solid chance at winning here
Jim Geraghty’s analysis seems to be far more realistic. Senator Obama is farther to the left philisophically than Mark Warner or Jim Webb and is going to have a harder time making significant inroads here.
One other thing to note here: although polls show Obama ahead here (
Rassmussen has him up by 3 points today), the state is politically diverse and support for each of the candidates runs stronger in different parts of the state. Most internals to polls will talk about party affiiliation, gender, race, and other demographic factors. But to really determine whether a poll here is accurate you need to know where the respondents live.
When election day rolls around, don’t be surprised if Virginia becomes the state that ultimately determines the outcome of the election. It may go either way but it’s not as much of a lock for Democrats as they would like to make it out to be.
Saturday, September 27th, 2008 at 12:06 am
Each side will, of course, claim victory. But pundits (and probably voters, too) go into these things looking for a clear victor.
One of the cardinal rules of debates is to not say anything that will come back as a sound bite that can be used against you later. While there weren’t any major verbal gaffes, the McCain campaign didn’t waste any time
making an ad from one of Senator Obama’s minor gaffes. The speed with which that ad appeared is just further testimony of how media saavy McCain’s campaign really is.
My impression is that Senator Obama started strong when the questions were more focused on the economy and gradually got weaker as the shift moved to foreign affairs. Senaor McCain, on the other hand, started out weaker and got better as the night wore on.
Although the pre-debate coverage indicated that Senator Obama would try to get under Senator McCain’s skin it seemed to me (especially when they went to split screen – I was watching it on Fox News) that Obama seemed more irritated, interrupted Senator McCain frequently, and would often try to get the last word in. These are all minor issues overall but seemed to make Senator Obama seem smaller and consequently less presidential.
There’s no question these two candidates are extremely intelligent and both performed well under pressure. No major mistakes were made. But at the end of the day I think Senator McCain still has an edge in terms of having the character and experience necessary to be President. It remains to be seen whether voters will draw the same conclusion.
Friday, September 26th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
 |
The Kind of Man Every Man Should Be: Taking a Stand for True MasculinityBy Kevin McCullough / Harvest House Publishers* From radio commentator, syndicated columnist, and MuscleHead Revolution author comes a bold message for 21st-century men! McCullough probes the undermining of manhood over recent decades and speculates why both sexes are reluctant to address the problem. Citing God’s blueprint in Scripture, he challenges Christian men to behave with dignity, act with clarity, and lead with conviction! 224 pages, softcover from Harvest. |
This morning I had the opportunity to chat with Kevin McCullough. His book is a wake up call to men (and women) everywhere that it’s time for men to start living the way that God has designed them. It’s both a very personal and immensely practical book and one that I heartily recommend to everyone. I’ll have a more complete review here soon.
Click on this link to hear the interview.
UPDATE: Thanks to Kevin McCullough for the link!
Friday, September 26th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
The looming financial crisis has been all over the headlines this week and presidential politics has inevitably been tied to it. But much of the coverage is confusing and the myriad of problems that have led to the current crisis can be confusing.
Mark Alexander’s essay today on the crisis is a good primer on how we got to where we are and what some of the options that are available.
Yes, the need is great. But the worst thing that government could do is rush to fix the problem. I’d rather see lawmakers take their time and get the solution right. Otherwise it could turn out to be like many government “solutions” which become bigger problems that the original problems they are designed to fix.
Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 at 8:51 am
If Barack Obama loses the election this November (and at this point it’s impossible to say whether he will – it’s too close to call) it will be because of a series of unforced errors. They are missteps in the campaign that when taken individually don’t seem like a huge issue but when combined have the effect of totally derailing what would have otherwise been a hugely successful campaign.
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Sunday, September 7th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Gov. Sarah Palin’s church is promoting a conference that promises to convert gays into heterosexuals through the power of prayer.
“You’ll be encouraged by the power of God’s love and His desire to transform the lives of those impacted by homosexuality,” according to the insert in the bulletin of the Wasilla Bible Church, where Palin has prayed since she was a child.
Palin’s conservative Christian views have energized that part of the GOP electorate, which was lukewarm to John McCain’s candidacy before he named her as his vice presidential choice. She is staunchly anti-abortion, opposing exceptions for rape and incest, and opposes gay marriage and spousal rights for gay couples.
Focus on the Family, a national Christian fundamentalist organization, has scheduled the “Love Won Out” Conference for Sept. 13 in Anchorage, about 30 miles from Wasilla.
Palin, campaigning with McCain in the Midwest on Friday, has not publicly expressed a view on the so-called “pray away the gay” movement. Larry Kroon, senior pastor at Palin’s church, was not available to discuss the matter Friday, said a church worker who declined to give her name.
For another, the AP seems shocked, shocked that Governor Palin’s church would actually be teaching what the Bible says.
Also, they totally mischaracterize the nature of the conference. According to the
questions page on the conference website they don’t “cure” gays.
Are you here to “cure” gays?
Absolutely not. The only time you’ll ever hear the word “cure” used in relation to our event is by those who oppose Love Won Out. They also like to claim we want to “fix” or “convert” gays and lesbians and that we believe people can “pray away the gay.” Such glib characterizations ignore the complex series of factors that can lead to same-sex attractions; they also mischaracterize our mission. We exist to help men and women dissatisfied with living homosexually understand that same-sex attractions can be overcome. It is not easy, but it is possible, as evidenced by the thousands of men and women who have walked this difficult road successfully.
In typical fashion, the AP distorts not only the role of the church in promoting the conference but also the nature of the conference itself. It also describes Focus on the Family as a “fundamentalist” organization. And it’s kind of ironic that the “pray away the gay” talking point cited on the website ended up in the text of the AP story.
But the bigger question is why this is even a story? How is it that Governor Palin’s church gets raked over the coals for including a promotional insert in a church bulletin while, say, Senator Obama’s church escapes any real scrunity when his pastor of twenty years has been caught on video preaching hate from the pulpit? If candidates’ churches are now fair game to media scrutiny then why not subject each candidate’s church to the same level of scrutiny?
I’m not holding my breath waiting for it to happen.
Saturday, September 6th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Now that the presidential campaign is in full swing, the big question in media circles is when Republican vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin will be available to them to answer their questions. This is to be expected since they spent the last week since McCain’s announcement acting like a petulant child because McCain dared to nominate someone they hadn’t vetted.
The main problem the media faces is that they are no longer the gatekeepers of information. Ever since the collapse of the monopoly controlled by CBS, NBC, and ABC they’ve struggled to keep themselves relevant. And while they do serve a purpose, it is not as great as it used to be.
My guess is that Governor Palin will make media appearances in the coming weeks but will be careful to select outlets that are willing to treat her with the respect that she deserves rather than trying to assault her with smears and “gotcha” questions. She doesn’t need to bother sitting down with media outlets that have shown themselves to be hypocrites. They don’t deserve the privilege of being able to ask her any questions.
Thursday, September 4th, 2008 at 10:24 am
She’s authentic.
She tells you exactly what she thinks and you don’t have to guess.
You don’t have to read and re-read her speeches to try to figure out the meaning of her words.
Even if you disagree with her politically, you can’t help but like her. I mean, really like her.
She’s the kind of person that many people will be able to identify with. Her family has many of the same ups and downs that the average family experiences.
The Left, with an assist from their enablers in the mainstream media have done everything they can in the days leading up to this speech to try to demonize her.
Sarah Palin showed last night why those attacks won’t work on her.
Democrats are afraid this morning. They should be.
John McCain took a huge risk in selecting Sarah Palin. Last night, Sarah Palin showed America exactly why she was selected and demonstrated he made the right choice.
If the Republicans go on to win the election this November, it will be because it was won last night with Governor Palin’s speech.
Friday, August 29th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Senator John McCain not only hit a home run but a grand slam with his surprise selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential nominee. With his brilliant move, Senator McCain changed the dynamic of the presidential race. Rather than the press focusing on Senator
Barack Obama’s acceptance speech, all the talk today on the cable networks will be on McCain’s decision.
Looking at both campaigns it’s clear that McCain’s campaign has Obama’s campaign beat
when it comes to competence. Obama’s announcement was poorly handled. McCain’s was a masterpiece.
But I was also reminded that McCain was once a Navy fighter pilot and that much of the strategy surrounding the pick reflects his military experience.
One of the keys to winning a war is to keep your enemy guessing what you’re going to do next. In other words, misdirection and misinformation are among your best weapons. McCain pulled off one of the
greatest media headfakes in recent political history. Even up until the announcement speculation was that either Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota or former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney would be the pick. Either would have been okay but not able to create the firestorm of support that Palin’s selection has created. McCain also did a terrific job of keeping a lid on the choice until the news of the pick would have the maximum possible effect. McCain understands the saying “loose lips sink ships” applies to politics as well as the military.
Another key to winning a war is to exploit your opponent’s weaknesses. Barack Obama’s biggest weakness is among women. By not picking Hillary Clinton as his VP, he snubbed the 18 million plus voters that cast ballots for her. Many of her supporters are women, These voters are ripe to be picked off by McCain. By nominating a woman, McCain has put those voters in play.
Finally, to win a war you have to be willing to take risks. Governor Palin is largely unknown outside Alaska where she enjoys an 80% approval rating. The McCain campaign will have to work to get her story out to the public. However, the timing of the announcement right before the start of the Republican convention allows McCain to control the narrative and allow the focus to be on his running mate for the next few days and blunts any bounce Senator Obama will have been able to gain from his convention.
Senator McCain has shown himself capable of leading this country. He’s willing to take risks and do what is right. With this decision, he has changed the course of the entire campagin.
Thursday, August 21st, 2008 at 9:45 pm
For the past few weeks, the political press has been waiting breathlessly for the most anticipated announcement of the 2008 Election campaign: the vice-presidential nominations. But does the actual nomination matter as much as the media would have us believe? Does the actual nomination have any real influence on the vote?
Pundits will tell you that by selecting a particular candidate will all but guarantee delivery of a swing state for the ticket. Others will tell you that a VP nominee’s experience will “balance the ticket” or counterbalance the presidential candidate’s weaknesses by bringing expertise in a given area such as foreign policy or economic issues.
Personally, I don’t believe a bit of it. In selecting a VP nominee, a candidate really only needs to think about one thing (besides the obvious question of whether their selection could step into the role of President under a worst-case scenario).
The main thing that the presidential candidate needs to guard against is destroying their chances at getting elected by making a lousy vice-presidential choice.
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Sunday, August 17th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
I hadn’t really intended to watch last night’s presidential candidate forum hosted by Saddleback Church and their celebrity pastor, Rick Warren. Part of the reason was that I was uncomfortable with the idea of a church being the host of a purely political event.
I’m still not sure how involved churches need to be involved in politics although I agree with those who believe that IRS regulations that restrict pastors from discussing politics should be repealed.
I’m not a big fan of Rick Warren, either. For all the good he has done, I disagree with his whole purpose-driven approach to church. I didn’t care for his bestselling book as I thought it was too theologically shallow. I honestly wasn’t sure that he would be willing to ask tough questions. I doubted Pastor Warren’s motives thinking he was looking for a way to give Senator Barack Obama a chance to make an appeal to evangelical voters who could very much decide the outcome of the election.
The format of the forum with each candidate being asked the same questions separately and not knowing the other’s answers seemed a bit unconventional. I wasn’t sure it would work.
I was wrong.
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Sunday, August 10th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
A person’s faith is a window into their soul. For a politician, how he or she speaks about his or her faith will tell you something about how they will govern. Stephen Mansfield, author of the new book The Faith of Barack Obama, says that in examining the Senator’s faith journey gave him insight not only into the Democratic presidential nominee but insight into larger cultural trends as well.
“Barack Obama’s faith and his spiritual journey not only are shaping this election but also, as you tell the story and reflect on it, captures many of the trends that are most powerful and transforming in this age,” said Mr. Mansfield in a recent interview.
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Friday, August 8th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Ever wondered what it would be like to tour with a rock band? Wonder what challenges a Christian band has to face out on the road?
Nigel James, founder of Ignite, a UK based youth discipleship minstry, has traveled extensively for Third Day for the past eight years. He brings unique insights into the hearts and minds of the band members in a new book entitled Lessons From The Road.
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Wednesday, August 6th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
In a post entitled Why I Walked Out of Church, writer/artist Julie Neidlinger assesses what’s wrong with many of today’s churches (hat tip: WorldMagBlog):
A recent cover story at World Magazine about “NextGen Worship” inspired a strong desire to smack the pastors depicted in the article and in the photos. The cover photo alone enraged me, with the pastor wearing baggy jeans and untucked button-up shirt with flip flops and an ear microphone. Later, the same guy is shown out front of a church holding a paper Starbucks-like cup of coffee. Could he try any harder to be lame?
I’d have liked to have taken that cup of coffee and dumped it on his head. But it’s nothing personal against that guy or his beliefs or sincerity. It’s an anger at something else.
I’m not going to be one of those starched-collar Christians who, based on personal preference, say that this is a sign we’re going to hell in a handbasket and that all things are wrong unless they are done as they were with the Puritans. What I’m saying is that I can’t stand the phoniness, or trendiness, or sameness — or whatever I’m trying to say here — that the church seems to catch onto at the tail end, not even aware of how lame it is. The fact that this is not only actually successful in appealing to people, but attracts them, also disgusts me.
It makes me want to throw up.
It’s buying into some kind of lie or substitution of cool culture as being relevant when it isn’t.
The entire article is worth reading very carefully as Julie has a lot to say. No doubt there are many other people that feel the same way.
