None of their published works appear on my bookshelf. Neither of the candidates has as yet received my vote. But nonetheless, I listened carefully.
Rick Warren, author of The Purpose Driven Life was interviewing the top two presidential candidates: John McCain and Barack Obama. And as I listened to their responses (the word “answers” would be appropriate for only one of the two candidates’ responses), I became excited. To my surprise, I was listening to a man I could and would vote for–if he chooses a pro-life running mate.
McCain did not get my vote in our state’s primary election. Nor did conservative Ron Paul. I wish Dr. Dobson had gotten on the Huckabee bandwagon sooner. Maybe he could have given McCain a run for his money.
Listening to the clear, concise answers Senator McCain gave Saturday night, I realized maybe I still could get excited about the Republican ticket.
If you’ve been coming to ylcf.org since the last presidential election, you know how I feel about voting for third party candidates. I saw how close the third party vote came to tipping the scales in Kerry’s favor in too many states four years ago.
But I can not and will not vote for a ticket with a pro-choice vice-presidential candidate. And I would not expect a Mormon to do much to protect the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman, either.
It was obvious how McCain felt about marriage when he declared that his greatest moral failure in life was the failure of his first marriage. And when the question came to human life and human rights, he didn’t beg some excuse about lacking the scientific training to be able to answer. McCain instantly answered that life began at conception, and that was that. He didn’t have to continually quote Scripture to convince us he had a strong faith and firmly-held convictions. It was evident in his answers, without being “in your face” or sounding like he was begging for the religious vote. (And this homeschool grad was totally won over when he stated that homeschooling works. Not to mention his heroes including Ronald Reagan and Teddy Roosevelt.)
No, I don’t begin to like everything about the idea of John McCain being the next President of the United States. But I really dislike the thought of our nation’s foremost leader having a name so eerily similar to one of our nation’s greatest enemies. And that’s just the first of many reasons I would not vote for Obama.
I hope and pray McCain chooses his running mate with wisdom from above. Otherwise you might find me voting for a third-party candidate. Or else writing in my brother’s name. Will Glaser for President. Now there’s a ticket I could stand behind one-hundred percent. But I wouldn’t wish the presidency on my brother. Besides, he’s not old enough yet.
p.s. see comments for follow-up note from Gretchen
14 Comments
I recently turned eighteen, so this will be my first time voting. I was sighing over the fact that I couldn’t have the immense pride and joy of walking into a booth for the first time and voting for Reagan. I wondered what in the world I was to think of McCain (though I did know I preferred him infinitely to Obama).
Like you, after hearing his strong and convicted answers several nights ago (when someone takes such a firm stance on defeating evil, I could a little excited), I was greatly encouraged. So were my parents, and my two brothers old enough to vote.
I can’t say, unfortunately, that McCain is another Reagan, but I have to say that he impressed me, and when it comes time to vote he’ll probably be the one.
And I’m certainly praying that he continues on the way he’s been going!
Hi Gretchen! I feel like I know you, having been a faithful reader (& lurker) here at ylcf for several years. I am always uplifted and inspired when I read the posts here.
I just wanted to point out that Mormons (the LDS church) are actually a big part of the conservative/prolife/protect marriage movement. Here in California the LDS church is one of the biggest supporters of prop 8 (a measure to define marriage as between one man and one woman). Polygamy is not a part of the modern LDS church and has not been for many, many years.
Thank you for all the work you and the other ylcf writers do to encourage so many who love your site. You have all been blessings in my life!
In Christ,
Diana
I saw the interview too and was very impressed with McCain. Hopefully he will stick with his statements if he becomes President. It’s easy to say something, another thing to do it. All that said, I was impressed. Of course, he’s not a perfect candidate, but he’s so much better than Obama! And yes, it is eerily like Osama. Goodness.
I agree with you on the third-party issue, Gretchen. As my dad says, “Third party votes are basically votes for the Democrat.” (Since we vote Republican
) So this year, (my first voting year…) I’m voting for John McCain!
Dear Gretchen, I really respect you and always appreciate reading your posts. However I was quite amazed in this case: How can somebody’s name that happens to be similar to that of a terrorist be a reason for disapproval? Is it his fault he got that name? His father is Kenyan and in Kenya that’s a very common name. I know there is also the rumour that Obama is/was a Muslim. I heard him confess his faith in Christ and he is obviously an active member in the church. Even if he was a Muslim before (which I don’t know) it wouldn’t matter because once somebody gives his live to Christ he is made a new creature and everything that happened before died anyway. doesn’t matter whether you were just a sinner or a Muslim sinner. Also doesn’t matter whether his name was Obama or Osama. Even if Osama bin Laden himself gave his life to Christ God couldn’t care less about his name and all his former sins would be forgiven. One can’t also blame him for his father being Kenyan, cos every single person in the US immigrated from somewhere at some point, right? I am not saying I agree with everything he stands for, but I have even bigger doubts about McCain. But I am not a citizen of your country so I am not gonna vote anyway. Just wanted to chip in some thoughts.
lol, I’m not sure the candidate’s name should be a reason to vote / not vote for them! It’s good to see that Gretchen obviously has better criteria for picking a Presidential candidate.
Have you heard of Chuck Baldwin? I would encourage everyone to check out his website www-dot-baldwin2008-dot-com and read up on his views. I am thoroughly disgusted with our choice of the 2 major candidates for the up-coming 2008 election. Now may be the time when we as Christians need to step up to the plate, stand up for our beliefs, (not just choose the “lesser of two evils”) and vote for a 3rd party candidate. If everyone votes according to their beliefs, despite what everyone says a 3rd party candidate CAN WIN the elections. God help us all in the days to come!
I do not mean to be controversial in any way. My conviction is that everyone should vote for the person they believe would be the best candidate in office, regardless of party or popularity. God calls us to be different.
Prayerfully,
A YLCF Reader in KY
By the way, I think your brother should run for president when he’s old enough.
I am an avid visitor of this website and I have to say this is the first time I have been disappointed by an article on this page! I know everyone is entitled to their preferences and the reasons for them, but this SMACKS of so much small mindedness and prejudice all hidden under the umbrella of Godly Wisdom!
Good thoughts, Gretchen! As a current congressional campaign operative, and former White House intern, I am passionate about conservative Christians fulfilling their civic responsibility. Truly, all that is nessecary for evil to triumph is for good men (and ladies, too =)) to do nothing. Thanks for doing something…this blog! It has been such a blessing in my life.
Keep letting your light shine!
McCain is definitely not another Reagan. I don’t anticipate that for at least another four years =) Like you, Gretchen, neither McCain nor Ron Paul got my first vote back in February. And also like you, whether or not I vote for McCain will rest in his running mate choice. Maybe Huckabee…..though probably not.
However, my hope is that McCain is NOT talking up to the conservative voting bloc. After all, he knows where an essential core lies. Yet God knows!
Bravissimo to the post!
I have to agree.
First off, Im guessing you probably wont post this, but I just wanted to say that I love this site. I check it often and enjoy the readings. I have to say I was so hurt and offended by your comments about why you wouldnt vote for Obama, because you really dislike the thought of our nation’s foremost leader having a name so eerily similar to one of our nation’s greatest enemies–do you think thats legimitmate? and what does that say to all the americans that are of muslim background with similar names? What do you think of them? Would you not befriend them because their names were so similar? I think it was a poor choice of words on your part, offensive, and it didnt say anything on a legitimate platform of why you felt he was unfit for president. If his name is something so strongly to repel you, whats next? skin color? I mean, honestly? What if my last name sounded similar..would that push you away from befriending me?
I do hope you dont take offense to how I am writing this, I was more shocked than anything and just wanted you to know that not all your readers have the same background as you.
best,
Caroline
Hello Gretchen,
I want to briefly express my disappointment with two statements in this article. “And I would not expect a Mormon to do much to protect the definition of marriage as being between one man and one woman, either,” is the first. You do realize that the position of the mainstream Mormon church does not condone polygamy? If you’d expounded upon the links that mormonism has had to polygamy since its inception, or marshaled other specific arguments, I wouldn’t mind hearing it, but as it is, this comes off as “I summarily dismiss all Mormons ’cause I don’t agree with them.”
And citing Barack Obama’s name as the reason to not vote for him? Please, if you don’t like his position on the issues, which I imagine is certainly the case, do expound on those qualms. Why dismiss someone because of what they are named without even mentioning what they have to say and why you disagree with it? It’s the tactic of the schoolyard bully, not the editorialist.
I found your arguments in favour of McCain compelling, and I have found your previous writing to be personable and enjoyable. But these statements have me seeing red when otherwise I might be swayed by your points. You are certainly able to argue a strong case. I hate to see you use shoddy arguments alongside solid ones.
http://pa-election.com/www_nrlc_org_news1999_nrl999_mccain.html
That is an archive of an article written about McCain by the National Right to Life Coalition during his candidacy in 1999. They were in favor of Bush back then, against McCain. This article is no longer available on the NRLC website, not surprisingly, since they have completely changed their opinion of him, and are championing him as the voice for life. I maintain there there has not been anything McCain has done in the past 8 years since then that has reversed those positions of his. I beg of you to reconsider your assumption of McCain as pro-life… regardless of who is VP is if this is indeed your top issue.
Thank you all for your comments. I apologize for the ad hominem attack on Senator Obama. I meant to go back and edit that paragraph. Obviously, his name is not the foremost nor the only reason I will not cast my vote for Obama. But a name like Barack Hussein Obama appearing on the ballot should make the voter dig deeper to examine his beliefs and alliances, to make sure they are not too similar with America’s enemies of like names.
I’ve been reading John Ashcroft’s book Never Again: Securing American and Restoring Justice. Maybe that’s why I put that line in there. Reading about everything that went on in the White House and Pentagon prior to 9-11 makes me want a president who will fight to protect us from our enemies, not attend a church with anti-American sermons.
But again, I apologize. I had no intention of sounding racist or attacking Senator Obama just because of his name. Thank you for looking past that sentence.