Happy to be of help.
I would have caucused for Rick Santorum, were I a frigid Iowan last evening. Instead I worked down my wood pile and stayed warm at home in the basement. It went down to 20 degrees last night here.
Santorum: Sure, I told him to drop out back on October 22nd which should have been a hint about the worth of my political savvy. I admit that the more I listened to him, the better I liked him. Although he will not be the nominee, he has proven himself to have sufficient presence to be looked at as presidential...
...something to contrast to Newt Gingrich. How could fellow Georgian Newt rise and fall so far, so fast? To be so slick in the debates and then revert to form the last couple of weeks is puzzling...unless it is just Newt being Newt. Come on, Newt, drop out and be an idea guy.
Bachmann...the more I watched her the more she grated on me. All this 'titanium spine,' 'iron lady,' and 'most ready' stuff...she's been in the House for five years, one of 435 members of that body for crying out loud. After a while, just incessantly declaring yourself to be The Man needs some bolstering through real achievement. Go back to the House and get some things done Michelle.
Best move Rick Perry has made...going back to Texas to 'reassess' things. Oops, guess all those millions of dollars are gone. The pundits say Perry is really likeable one-on-one but, like a pastor has to deliver from the pulpit, so a politician has to do well before the crowds and TV. Bye bye.
Paul. Unelectable. Can get 20 or so percent of Iowans. Could get maybe 15 percent of the popular vote. Like Krauthammer said way back, Libertarianism isn't a governing philosophy.
Romney. I voted for him in the 2008 Georgia primary. The big Mormon dog in this race. Will be tough to beat.
This will be an entertaining year up un till the GOP has the clear nominee, then a depressingly negative grind until the November election with the two spending a couple of billion trashing the other.
Showing posts with label Michelle Bachmann. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michelle Bachmann. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Friday, November 11, 2011
Random Friday stuff: Paterno/Mohler, Perry/Cain,
Paterno is out, his final chapter, an ugly one, being written for him. It didn't have to end this way.
Al Mohler steps up to say more elegantly what I said earlier, and plainer: Pick up the phone. Call the cops.
But the problem for Southern Baptists is more complicated. The PSU crimes are years in the past. What happens today when SBC churches or clergy are accused or involved in crimes a decade or more in the past? Ask Christa Brown. I don't have a simple, plain solution.
And does Al Mohler have a copy of This Little Light in his reknown library?
_____________________________
We are a nation of political pundits. Here's my punditry:
Rick Perry, continuing to be the incredible shrinking candidate, wants to be Commander in Chief, not Debater in Chief. Sorry, demonstrate competence in simple things before being given the presidency. His latest gaffe makes him more likeable but less electable.
Hummon, bro, 9-9-9 cannot be the answer to every question posed to you. I'm afraid Cain has reached his high water mark even if you excise the sexual harrassment talk of the past two weeks.
Huntsman, Santorum, Bachmann...you are all just taking up valuable time that the other candidates, ones who actually have a chance of winning, might use. Declare victory and depart.
_____________________________
Al Mohler steps up to say more elegantly what I said earlier, and plainer: Pick up the phone. Call the cops.
But the problem for Southern Baptists is more complicated. The PSU crimes are years in the past. What happens today when SBC churches or clergy are accused or involved in crimes a decade or more in the past? Ask Christa Brown. I don't have a simple, plain solution.
And does Al Mohler have a copy of This Little Light in his reknown library?
_____________________________
We are a nation of political pundits. Here's my punditry:
Rick Perry, continuing to be the incredible shrinking candidate, wants to be Commander in Chief, not Debater in Chief. Sorry, demonstrate competence in simple things before being given the presidency. His latest gaffe makes him more likeable but less electable.
Hummon, bro, 9-9-9 cannot be the answer to every question posed to you. I'm afraid Cain has reached his high water mark even if you excise the sexual harrassment talk of the past two weeks.
Huntsman, Santorum, Bachmann...you are all just taking up valuable time that the other candidates, ones who actually have a chance of winning, might use. Declare victory and depart.
_____________________________
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Plodder advises presidential candidates...
...and, no, they didn't ask so I will not charge for the advice.
Herman Cain: Hummon, stop winging it, bro. Running for president isn't like doing your radio talk show. Next opportunity, thank all the other candidates for talking exclusively about your 9-9-9 plan (or, 9-0-9 plan). Keep up the good sense of humor which makes a nice contrast with several snit-infused other candidates.
Mitt Romney: Love your congeniality but once every day let's see a great big scowl because if you are elected there are some world leaders that respond only to angry scowls and a few predator drones. Stick with your 642 point economic plan and don't apologize it but pick a few simple points to push. Mormon/Schmormon - tell 'em you aren't running for pastor-in-chief.
Rick Perry: Drop the swagger. Drop the cheap shots. Drop the Texas stuff. Drop the little ruse of announcing that you will have an exciting new position on whatever the next week. Heck, drop out before all the evangelicals fall into a deep depression over your underwhelming performances. If you have any original ideas, by all means now is the time to let us know. Drop Jeffress from your Christmas card list. He didn't do you any favors.
Newt Gingrich: Since you are obviously the candidate who actually has something to say, just show up and keep talking but when the question is on faith, you might make your answer as short as possible. See my advice to Romney on running for commander-in-chief, not pastor or moral example-in-chief.
Ron Paul: Stick around as long as you can. You don't have a snowball's chance of being elected but I love your consistency. Don't get any big hopes of being anyone else's VP...I think you have successfully burned all those bridges.
Rick Santorum: We already know you have umpteen kids. Is that why you always seem mad at everyone? In fact, astute observers note that you have about six more kids than percentage points of supporters. Drop out.
Michelle Bachmann: Find something to say that doesn't start with, "I was the leader in congress against...." And we know you had several dozen kids and foster kids and commend you for it but my gaggle of astute observers note that you have about a dozen times more kids that you have percentage points of supporters. Drop out.
Jon Huntsman: Skip all of the remaining debates like you did the last one. Treasure your earlier shining moment with the shovel ready dog poop jobs and call it a day.
Always happy to help...
Herman Cain: Hummon, stop winging it, bro. Running for president isn't like doing your radio talk show. Next opportunity, thank all the other candidates for talking exclusively about your 9-9-9 plan (or, 9-0-9 plan). Keep up the good sense of humor which makes a nice contrast with several snit-infused other candidates.
Mitt Romney: Love your congeniality but once every day let's see a great big scowl because if you are elected there are some world leaders that respond only to angry scowls and a few predator drones. Stick with your 642 point economic plan and don't apologize it but pick a few simple points to push. Mormon/Schmormon - tell 'em you aren't running for pastor-in-chief.
Rick Perry: Drop the swagger. Drop the cheap shots. Drop the Texas stuff. Drop the little ruse of announcing that you will have an exciting new position on whatever the next week. Heck, drop out before all the evangelicals fall into a deep depression over your underwhelming performances. If you have any original ideas, by all means now is the time to let us know. Drop Jeffress from your Christmas card list. He didn't do you any favors.
Newt Gingrich: Since you are obviously the candidate who actually has something to say, just show up and keep talking but when the question is on faith, you might make your answer as short as possible. See my advice to Romney on running for commander-in-chief, not pastor or moral example-in-chief.
Ron Paul: Stick around as long as you can. You don't have a snowball's chance of being elected but I love your consistency. Don't get any big hopes of being anyone else's VP...I think you have successfully burned all those bridges.
Rick Santorum: We already know you have umpteen kids. Is that why you always seem mad at everyone? In fact, astute observers note that you have about six more kids than percentage points of supporters. Drop out.
Michelle Bachmann: Find something to say that doesn't start with, "I was the leader in congress against...." And we know you had several dozen kids and foster kids and commend you for it but my gaggle of astute observers note that you have about a dozen times more kids that you have percentage points of supporters. Drop out.
Jon Huntsman: Skip all of the remaining debates like you did the last one. Treasure your earlier shining moment with the shovel ready dog poop jobs and call it a day.
Always happy to help...
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Still searching for that political messiah
One would think that the lesson of the apostles would be sufficient to cure the followers of Christ from hungering and thirsting for a political messiah. But no, it seems to be an endless search at least for American evangelical Christians.
Rick Perry and Michelle Bachmann are the latest incarnations. I'm getting emails touting the fervor of the faith of Perry, as if one should go ahead and apply the term parousia to him.
Plodder was a bit put off by the Perry prayer project, er rally, with both eyebrows raised over the confluence of his political and spiritual aspirations (my humble offering on it here). There is an evangelical vote. He's after it.
Madam Titanium will uncompromisingly confront the culture. One need not be the leader of the free world to do that.
Count me as having learned the lesson that (a) there will always be those who are looked upon as political messiahs and saviors, and (b) that they will always disappoint.
Jimmy Carter was the most godly president I know of. Unsuccessful president.
Reagan never went to church, nor talked up the evangelicals, but did well as president.
Bush the First: Good Episcopalian, decent president.
Clinton/Gore: Our two Southern Baptists; we had the board covered with Southern Baptists, but few of us voted for them.
Bush the Second: Great testimony, greatly expanded the welfare state and deficit spending.
And no one did anything with the social agenda.
The solution is spiritual, not political.
I have ceased to eagerly await a political messiah but remains steadfast in expectation of the Blessed Hope, the one who is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
He may come the first Tuesday in November 2012, but will not be on the ballot.
Rick Perry and Michelle Bachmann are the latest incarnations. I'm getting emails touting the fervor of the faith of Perry, as if one should go ahead and apply the term parousia to him.
Plodder was a bit put off by the Perry prayer project, er rally, with both eyebrows raised over the confluence of his political and spiritual aspirations (my humble offering on it here). There is an evangelical vote. He's after it.
Madam Titanium will uncompromisingly confront the culture. One need not be the leader of the free world to do that.
Count me as having learned the lesson that (a) there will always be those who are looked upon as political messiahs and saviors, and (b) that they will always disappoint.
Jimmy Carter was the most godly president I know of. Unsuccessful president.
Reagan never went to church, nor talked up the evangelicals, but did well as president.
Bush the First: Good Episcopalian, decent president.
Clinton/Gore: Our two Southern Baptists; we had the board covered with Southern Baptists, but few of us voted for them.
Bush the Second: Great testimony, greatly expanded the welfare state and deficit spending.
And no one did anything with the social agenda.
The solution is spiritual, not political.
I have ceased to eagerly await a political messiah but remains steadfast in expectation of the Blessed Hope, the one who is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty."
He may come the first Tuesday in November 2012, but will not be on the ballot.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Bachmann, submission, and credibility
I like Michelle Bachmann. I haven't seen her titanium spine but she has a penetrating gaze, a smooth and unflappable demeanor, and expresses her convictions well.
But I am intrigued by her foray into wifely submission. Here's the exchange from the GOP debate of the other evening:
Journalist Byron York: In 2006, when you were running for Congress, you described a moment in your life when your husband said you should study for a degree in tax law. You said you hated the idea. And then you explained, “But the Lord said, ‘Be submissive. Wives, you are to be submissive to your husbands.’”
As president, would you be submissive to your husband?
Bachmann’s response: Marcus and I will be married for 33 years this September 10th. I’m in love with him. I’m so proud of him. And both he and I — what submission means to us, if that’s what your question is, it means respect. I respect my husband. He’s a wonderful, godly man, and a great father. And he respects me as his wife.
I don't think this is a credible answer, not because it fails to properly teach what many believe the relevant Biblical passages mean by submission of a wife to her husband but because, seems to me, it fails as an explanation of the incident in question.
Husband wants wife to study for a degree in tax law.
Wife hates the idea.
Wife subordinates her desire to her husband's wish.
Bachmann may have offered an expanded explanation of this incident on some previous occasion but this doesn't look like 'respect' to me. The short version that was presented at the debate looks like submission of her will to his, her desire to his, her ambitions to his.
There's no question that it is relevant to her seeking the presidency.
While I'm not all that familiar with her faith story, conservative Southern Baptists do quite a dance around the idea of a wife's submission to her husband. In the SBC we joke about it ("...I make all the major decisions in our marriage and my wife makes the minor ones...we've never had a major decision..."), try to moderate it by the "...as Christ loved the church..." passage, or fall back on mutual submission to the exclusion of wifely submission.
I'm guessing someone will press Bachmann on this one. I don't think her answer is fully credible.
It's only August, 2011. Anyone already have a surfeit of presidential politics?
But I am intrigued by her foray into wifely submission. Here's the exchange from the GOP debate of the other evening:
Journalist Byron York: In 2006, when you were running for Congress, you described a moment in your life when your husband said you should study for a degree in tax law. You said you hated the idea. And then you explained, “But the Lord said, ‘Be submissive. Wives, you are to be submissive to your husbands.’”
As president, would you be submissive to your husband?
Bachmann’s response: Marcus and I will be married for 33 years this September 10th. I’m in love with him. I’m so proud of him. And both he and I — what submission means to us, if that’s what your question is, it means respect. I respect my husband. He’s a wonderful, godly man, and a great father. And he respects me as his wife.
I don't think this is a credible answer, not because it fails to properly teach what many believe the relevant Biblical passages mean by submission of a wife to her husband but because, seems to me, it fails as an explanation of the incident in question.
Husband wants wife to study for a degree in tax law.
Wife hates the idea.
Wife subordinates her desire to her husband's wish.
Bachmann may have offered an expanded explanation of this incident on some previous occasion but this doesn't look like 'respect' to me. The short version that was presented at the debate looks like submission of her will to his, her desire to his, her ambitions to his.
There's no question that it is relevant to her seeking the presidency.
While I'm not all that familiar with her faith story, conservative Southern Baptists do quite a dance around the idea of a wife's submission to her husband. In the SBC we joke about it ("...I make all the major decisions in our marriage and my wife makes the minor ones...we've never had a major decision..."), try to moderate it by the "...as Christ loved the church..." passage, or fall back on mutual submission to the exclusion of wifely submission.
I'm guessing someone will press Bachmann on this one. I don't think her answer is fully credible.
It's only August, 2011. Anyone already have a surfeit of presidential politics?
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