RANDOM THOUGHT ON THE EVANGELICAL VOTING BLOC

Does it seem possible that the Democrats could be making inroads, at least somewhat, into this important group of voters? Republicans have garnered this vote almost exclusively in the past, but with McCain, a candidate that appears to have luke-warm at best support among this group, it'd seem that a Democratic candidate could capture many votes from this segment. With the solid performance tonight by the candidates, and the focus that they have placed on their faith, I believe that some evangelicals could find themselves struggling in the voting booth. Of course, the abortion issue would probably serve as the eternal trump card for Repubs, but I did like Obama's answer on the abortion issue tonight.

they'll hold their nose and vote McCain or stay home.

It's caused some Christians to try to re-claim what they believe.

you can see it how many within the elite of that community are starting to send out feelers for a shift in perception since the Dems are starting to welcome them to the table. It's really good to see a slow shift toward a focus on the Social Gospel instead of automatically being pushed to the back seat over abortion, church-and-state drama, etc.

thanks for the kind welcome. good to be here:hi: :hi:

it would be foolish not to invite them into the democratic party..

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5491095

HRC has no answer for any of this stuff. The "bitterness" is in seeing that a false religion has led us to this point in time. And faith in guns isn't the same as faith in God. The average Joe in PA knows this deep down. Obama can get that across but he has to do it soon.

To whom??? Most people I know with actual strongly held religious beliefs regard actions as speaking louder than words...go to any anti-war rally and you'll find involvement by church groups. The idea that fealty to tongue service is important is a Republican gig...

Does the attention to faith that Obama and Clinton have paid, pay off in the form of more votes?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Awakening

See Jim Wallis' book of same name. The country doesn't need Bushco's false religion but a dose of the REAL THING. The genuine article, the beacon, shining city, that Reagan mentioned (but ended up destroying) !

I was there when GOP operatives first infiltrated the burgeoning evangelical movement in the early 70s.

I've watched things grow and change over the years.

When people called into CSPAN and stated unequivically, that if Huckabee didn't get the GOP nomination, they would vote for Obama... the talking heads were DUMBFOUNDED. They thought it was some kind of fluke.

People trust Obama, and when he speaks of his faith, informing his politics, they believe it. People are more afraid of this collapsing economy, an ever looming police state, corruption and needless war, than creeping socialism or Roe v Wade now.

He did very well tonight. Now, don't misunderstand. That audience was full of mainstream Religious Leaders and Intellectual Teachers from colleges affilliated with churches. They are NOT EVANGELICALS... they are NOT fundamentalists.

If given enough time to campaign, it's my informed opinion Obama could bring about the biggest landslide in US History. Of course, he won't have time to do that and we both know why.... it's so sad, really.

I'm sure "ignored" is going to ream me a new one but you are K and R'd.

I managed to watch just part of the show and I got the quick impression that the audience wasn't made up of evangelicals or fundamentalists.

I am just wondering what the consensus is on this voting bloc. Or perhaps the votes that could be gained just from very religious people that would normally vote Republican. I think the Democratic viewpoint of religion is at its' highest point in this voting cycle, and that, along with other very pressing issues that Republican leadership has failed to remedy, could swing many votes to the blue.

they would have the evangelical community talking amongst themselves and realizing that his campaign is the only one not dependent upon the Almighty Dollar (now devalued and in control of foreign interests).

He can speak of keeping hope alive even better than anything Jesse Jackson could. Lower income whites know that only a candidate truly caring for the lower classes in their entirety, lower income minorities AND lower income whites together, will be able to raise all boats, to paraphrase JFK. The rising tide is the optimism swelling from below that will raise the economy and our spirits to boot.

...and they are SERIOUSLY considering voting for Obama.

They HATE McCain, and don't trust Hillary.

I don't see Obama pandering to anyone (not his style), but I think some Evangelicals are drawn to his honesty and compassion.

HRC has no answer for any of this stuff. The "bitterness" is in seeing that a false religion has led us to this point in time. And faith in guns isn't the same as faith in God. The average Joe in PA knows this deep down. Obama can get that across but he has to do it soon.

See my links in post above.

I thought for sure what he meant by clinging to guns and religion, was that voters voted Republican based on those wedge issues, because they knew the economy and job loss wouldn't be addressed regardless of who was elected. His answer tonight seemed to pander to the "compassion forum", as he didn't even mention the guns. Oh well, nobody's perfect.

That and What's The Matter With Kansas are essential primers for understanding just how the country is being screwed by the CONservatives.

Haven't read The Great Awakening yet. Will have to put that on my list. I'm engrossed in The Shock Doctrine right now.