You are correct. I have not endorsed a candidate. I’ve merely been discussing the kinds of things a person might weigh in the balance when deciding who to vote for. Chances are, by the time we Texans vote (March 4, well after Super Tuesday), the nomination will be a forgone conclusion. I’ll make my final decision sometime before then.

Thanks,
Denny

You are mistaken if you have taken my post to be pro-Huckabee.

I’m responding to this post, at least in part, because it has been a topic of conversation in our home over the holidays. We have 2 college students living with us and 3 of our own home for Christmas – with numerous others over nearly every night. I am NOT pitting Huckabee against Romney – as right versus wrong. The more I’ve read over the past couple of weeks the more interested I am in other candidates.

My comments on this post and in the home are attacking (gently, I hope) the thought process behind the choice of a candidate. Romney’s mormonism and belief in another God creates an interesting teaching tool. Even more so, when he brought his faith into the discussion with his religion/politics speech. How does his false religion compare with McCain’s? How does it differ if there were an atheist? Is the pluralism of the candidates something that should factor into my consideration of a candidate?

Is being fiscally conservative a Christian virtue? Is the cause of Christ in America better off with a Republican or conservative president? To what degree has the cultural Christianity of Bill Clinton and other presidents further advanced pluralism and moral relativism – or do we simply get the kind of leaders that reflect who we are as a nation?

Looking at those kinds of questions from a God-centered biblical perspective sits better with me than the pragmatic – which candidate is most electable?

I think your intent is just different than mine on this issue. I respect the difference.

Merry Christmas brother

To be sure, I could do a lot more to make much of the glory of God’s sovereignty over all things, including Presidential elections. I believe that the Lord causes nations, kings, and presidents to rise and to fall (e.g. Daniel 4:31). I’m thankful that we share that in common.

I not sure, however, that our differences here have to do with God’s sovereignty. As I consider the choice between Romney and Huck, I don’t think it’s correct to make it into a choice between expediency (Romney) and doing the right thing (Huckabee), which is how I think you have it. If I thought God’s revealed will directed me to favor one candidacy over another, then obviously the choice would be to follow what God has revealed, regardless of the consequences. But in this case, I don’t think it’s a “right or wrong” decision, but a “right or left” decision.

Having described the choice between Romney and Huck as a “right or left” decision, I think the moral calculus changes when you throw Giuliani into the mix. Because Giuliani supports the legality of killing unborn humans, to vote for him would be a wrong decision. But I think the choice between Romney and Huck is different.

Thanks for the comment.

Blessings,
Denny

Also, bravo to Ranger on the below quote, very true:

“This presidential election will be a good test of how many evangelicals have become so caught up in Republican politics over the last twenty years that their perception of the line between political values and Christian values have blurred.”

You stated, “What’s important to note is that it has become increasingly clear that Mike Huckabee will have a hard time uniting the tripartite Republican coalition for a victory in the general election.”

Are you saying or implying that if Huckabee wins the nomination, registered Republican voters will vote for a Democrat in the general election?

I doubt it.

What I DON’T doubt, is your dislike for Mike Huckabee. You’ve made that obvious in your blog posts. What you HAVEN’T made obvious, is WHY you dislike him so much.

exactly. A Christian and a Conservative are two different things.

The sooner you realize that, the sooner you’ll truly vote with a conscience instead of a wallet.

“For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” — Romans 13:4 (NIV)

“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.” — 1 Peter 2:13-14 (NIV)

I don’t see the idea that government has “no place dictating how one’s life should be lived” in the Bible.

socially, a real conservative is a libertarian, believing that the government has no place dictating how one’s life should be lived. That’s about 180 degrees away from where we’re at now.

fiscally, a lot of people talk a good game, but it’s an all or nothing proposition. Either you’re conservative and you want to cut all (federal) spending that has nothing to do with the security of the country, or you don’t. Anything less than that equates to not being a fiscal conservative. So, any conservative that thought that the faith based initiative was a good idea ain’t much of a conservative. sorry.

national security wise, the only candidate running who is conservative on the issue is Ron Paul. Everyone else is supporting some degree of empire building. Conservative foreign policy is isolationism, pure and simple.

Huckabee isn’t conservative on any of those three.

If you want to vote for him because you think he’s morally the best choice, that’s fine and dandy. But don’t call him a conservative, because he isn’t.