I missed the Dems, but did hear some choice bits on NPR. A reader on Andrew Sullivan’s blog wonders why the media is going through the dog-and-pony show of having every single candidate up there, but really only focusing on three or four. From what I’ve heard of the Dem debate, it looks like it is Hillary/Edwards/Obama. I think folks have thought that for a while, and I really wouldn’t be surprised.
Republicans, however, are up in the air. You have some of the big names (Rudy, McCain, Romney), but I don’t think they are firin’ up the base — which is why people will continue to speculate about Thompson and Newt. It wouldn’t surprise me if Thompson or Newt wound up with the nomination.
Bringing Sullivan up again. His post on the evolution question really irked me. First, he seems to dismiss that some of those guys can really be genuine, conservative, evangelical Christians. He claims that its part of the “Rove strategy”. Well, what Gov/Rev Huckabee said, wasn’t Rove strategy. He spoke like a real Baptist. Brownback articulates a true, Christian vision of sanctity of Life. Romney is a Mormon. I don’t think there are any ‘cultural’ Mormons or ‘nominal’ Mormons. I think Rudy is a Catholic like Kerry was, but respects the Bishops (he is Italian) and isn’t as arrogant.
Second, Sullivan is out-of-step with the ‘problem’ of the early chapters of Genesis in the evangelical world. It isn’t like Leviticus or other portions of the Bible. Faithful readers of the Bible who would subscribe to an errant, God-breathed interpretation of the bible, allow themselves to fundamentally disagree on the particulars of Genesis. We allow for Old Earth / New Earth and literal 6-Day vs. Day/Age. Sullivan doesn’t get that and is off-base if he considers Huckabee’s wavering as politicizing.
Right now, I have absolutely no idea. Democrat or Republican. Nothing.
I did find out (via Wikipedia) that Huckabee was named one of the Top 5 governors by Time magazine, so perhaps I should lend more weight to his executive experience. Though, as much as they seem to be great guys, I can’t see Huckabee or Brownback in the oval office.
McCain surprised me and didn’t look as old as I expected.
Ron Paul made a few good points. I think he was marginalized a bit, but he wasn’t the rubble-rouser like in the last debate. That honor goes to Tom Tancredo from Colorado who outdid everyone by claiming that he wouldn’t allow any immigrants to enter the country, except for families and asylum. He also wanted to see immigrants drop their cultural and familial ties, and completely assimilate to an American lifestyle.
Okay, that’s enough for tonight. I’m tired and bummed that I recorded the debate and didn’t get the commentary afterwards. :0/
Just a point to mention. There are ‘cultural’ Mormons, they’re called ‘Jack Mormons’. Romney however is not a Jack Mormon.
Cathy beat me to it!!
I live in Mormon country and there are *tons* of folks who carry the label but live however they like.
Yup, if you aren’t going to go for a temple recommend, it’s easy to be a slack mormon.
This was really insightful, dear!
Just a random tid-bit about Mike Huckabee (that has little or no bearing on the substance of your post): when I was a reformed baptist living in Texarkana, Rev. Huckabee preached at my church one time. I don’t remember what he preached about (I was a little kid, after all), but I do distinctly remember that he wouldn’t drink the communion wine because it was *real wine*.
I thought it was silly at the time, but (say what you will about the principle behind the vow), as a Southern Baptist minister, he most likely took a vow that he wouldn’t drink alchohol. At least he took his vow seriously.
I’m partial to Fred Thompson at this point. Likely because my budding politico, J10, is a fan and keeps talking about him.